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Drought: Three water firms are to lift hosepipe bans Drought: Three water firms to lift hosepipe ban amid flood alerts
(40 minutes later)
Three water companies are to lift their hosepipe bans after further heavy rain.Three water companies are to lift their hosepipe bans after further heavy rain.
Seven firms put restrictions on water use in April to combat drought in southern and eastern England after two unusually dry winters.Seven firms put restrictions on water use in April to combat drought in southern and eastern England after two unusually dry winters.
But the restrictions were followed by record rainfall across England that month and more rain in May and June.But the restrictions were followed by record rainfall across England that month and more rain in May and June.
Anglian Water, Southern Water and Thames Water have confirmed that they are to remove the restrictions from midnight on Wednesday. More more heavy rain is forecast and flood warnings are in place. The move by Anglian, Southern and Thames comes after flooding in England and Wales.
Last week, the Environment Agency said wet weather had significantly improved river levels and reservoir stocks and reduced the risk of drought and widespread water restrictions this summer. The firms have confirmed that they are to remove the restrictions from midnight on Wednesday.
South East Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Veolia Water Central and Veolia Water Southeast have confirmed their hosepipe bans remain in place. The run of wet weather significantly improved river levels and reservoir stocks, and reduced the risk of drought and widespread water restrictions this summer, the Environment Agency HAS said.
South East Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Veolia Water Central and Veolia Water Southeast have confirmed their hosepipe bans remain in place due to low levels of groundwater.
They said they would continue to monitor the situation and keep the restrictions under review.
Richard Aylard, sustainability director for Thames Water, which has 8.8m customers in London and the Thames Valley, said: "We don't need a ban, but we do need to ask everyone to keep on using water wisely."Richard Aylard, sustainability director for Thames Water, which has 8.8m customers in London and the Thames Valley, said: "We don't need a ban, but we do need to ask everyone to keep on using water wisely."
Paul Valleley, Anglian Water's director of water services, which supplies customers in the east of England and Hartlepool, said three months-worth of winter rain in April had "made all the difference".Paul Valleley, Anglian Water's director of water services, which supplies customers in the east of England and Hartlepool, said three months-worth of winter rain in April had "made all the difference".
Southern Water's water quality and strategy manager Meyrick Gough said it was "right" to lift the restrictions.Southern Water's water quality and strategy manager Meyrick Gough said it was "right" to lift the restrictions.
Rain and floodingRain and flooding
The four companies where restrictions remain in place said groundwater levels were still too low to lift the ban. They said they would continue to monitor the situation and keep the restrictions under review. Meanwhile, parts of England Wales face further risk of flooding on Wednesday afternoon, with more heavy rain forecast.
Heavy rain since the weekend has caused flooding in Wales and some parts of southern England.
The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings and 20 flood alerts, including 15 in the South East.The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings and 20 flood alerts, including 15 in the South East.
As yet, there are no severe flood warnings - the highest alert, meaning there is a danger to life.As yet, there are no severe flood warnings - the highest alert, meaning there is a danger to life.
The Met Office issued a href="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings/" >severe weather warning for Wednesday for south-west England, parts of the West Midlands and Wales. The warning is at a "yellow" level which means "be aware". People in Devon, Cornwall, west Somerset, North Wales and parts of the Midlands have been urged to be aware of the possibility of flooding.
The Met Office also issued a severe weather warning for Wednesday for south-west England, parts of the West Midlands and Wales. The warning is at a "yellow" level which means "be aware".
A spokeswoman said thundery downpours are expected on Wednesday afternoon, which could give up to 20mm of rain in any one place.
BBC Weather forecaster Laura Gilchrist said the "warning zones" could see localised flooding.BBC Weather forecaster Laura Gilchrist said the "warning zones" could see localised flooding.
She said parts of England, including the South East, were now seeing brighter weather but more wet weather is expected across many parts on Thursday.She said parts of England, including the South East, were now seeing brighter weather but more wet weather is expected across many parts on Thursday.
Heavy rain since the weekend led to around 1,000 people being evacuated from homes and caravan parks in Mid Wales on Saturday.
And flooding caused more disruption in England on Tuesday - particularly in parts of West Sussex, where more than 20 people were rescued from flooded caravans at two holiday parks and the village of Elmer was evacuated.
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On Saturday, about 1,000 people were moved to safety from flooding in mid-Wales, with an estimated 150 rescued.
Environment Agency Wales said river levels were not expected to rise much further, but also warned that "heavy showers could lead to localised flooding of roads from blocked drains or small streams".
David Cameron was asked to urge insurance companies to act with "renewed speed" to help flood-hit communities in Wales, at Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons on Wednesday.David Cameron was asked to urge insurance companies to act with "renewed speed" to help flood-hit communities in Wales, at Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons on Wednesday.
Mr Cameron responded he would work towards making sure homeowners got swift action.Mr Cameron responded he would work towards making sure homeowners got swift action.
Rain and surface water flooding on Tuesday caused more disruption around the country. The impact of adverse weather and flooding is still being dealt with in parts of England and Wales on Wednesday afternoon, including the following incidents:
Flood water is being pumped away from parts of West Sussex, where more than 20 people were rescued from flooded caravans at two href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-18408056" >holiday parks and the href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-18408056" >village of Elmer was evacuated.
Fire crews across West Sussex dealt with more than 650 emergency calls in 18 hours - the same number they usually receive in a month.
The adverse weather has also affected roads in various parts of the country and the BBC's Travel Unit has full details of delays and incidents on its website.
The Environment Agency has urged people to remain vigilant and to check its website for the latest information.The Environment Agency has urged people to remain vigilant and to check its website for the latest information.
It "strongly" advised the public to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood waters.It "strongly" advised the public to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood waters.
12 months of drought previous slide next slide12 months of drought previous slide next slide
Have you been affected by the hosepipe ban? What is your reaction to Thames Water's proposals? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Have you been affected by the hosepipe ban? What is your reaction to Thames Water's proposals? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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