South East Water has extended its hosepipe ban to encompass 2.4 million customers in the south of England, citing record-breaking temperatures and exceptionally hot and dry weather. The ban now affects additional areas in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire, with restrictions in parts of Kent already in place since July 3.
Douglas Whitfield, South East Water's water supply director, expressed apologies for the inconvenience and gratitude for public cooperation in protecting water supplies. The company has requested customers adhere to the restrictions immediately, although the ban is set to officially commence at 00:01 BST on Saturday.
Under the new regulations, households are prohibited from using hosepipes for tasks such as cleaning vehicles, filling ponds, or watering gardens. The Met Office reported that the UK experienced its hottest June day for three consecutive days last month, with temperatures reaching 37.3 degrees Celsius.
Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde criticized the ban, attributing it to "years of underinvestment in upgrading infrastructure and building resilience."