Map reveals every UK region hit by a hosepipe ban this summer as new rule comes into force

Water companies are widening hosepipe bans across parts of England as hot, dry weather continues to strain supplies and push demand higher.

The latest expansion comes from Anglian Water, which said a Temporary Use Ban will begin at 1am on July 11 across 24 areas in the East of England. The company said the restriction is needed to help maintain water supply levels during sustained dry conditions.

Earlier restrictions are already in place, or due to start, in other parts of England. South East Water imposed a hosepipe ban in parts of Kent from July 3, while Southern Water said restrictions would begin on July 10 in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Cambridge Water has also announced a ban from 1am on July 17. The company said it is the first hosepipe ban it has imposed in more than 30 years.

Where the bans are spreading

The picture now stretches across several suppliers rather than one isolated area. The reported restrictions cover Kent, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and multiple parts of the East of England.

Reporting on Anglian Water said the company is adding 24 locations to the ban list, affecting nearly seven million homes across its network. The move is part of a wider attempt by water firms to reduce peak demand and keep supplies stable while dry weather persists.

The spread matters because it shows the pressure is not confined to one corner of the country. Instead, suppliers in different regions are moving at roughly the same time, responding to the same combination of heat, limited rainfall and low water availability.

The chronology so far

South East Water was the first of the companies in the latest wave to move, with restrictions taking effect in parts of Kent from July 3.

Southern Water then said it would bring in a hosepipe ban on July 10 for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, citing very low river levels and dry conditions.

Anglian Water followed with a Temporary Use Ban scheduled for 1am on July 11 across 24 East of England areas. Reporting said the company was urging customers to live within the spirit of the rules immediately, not just once the ban clock started.

Cambridge Water has said its own restriction begins on July 17. It said the measure is its first hosepipe ban in more than 30 years, underscoring how unusual the conditions have become.

Why companies are acting now

The immediate driver is the weather. The UK is in a period of sustained heat and dry conditions, with repeated heatwaves leaving rivers, reservoirs and treatment systems under pressure.

Southern Water linked its restriction to very low river levels, with reporting citing levels about 25% below normal. Anglian Water said its ban is needed to help keep supplies steady during prolonged dry weather.

These decisions are being taken before the shortage problem becomes more severe. Water companies are trying to curb discretionary use at the point when demand is highest, especially for outdoor activities.

What the bans mean for households

The restrictions prohibit routine hosepipe use, including watering gardens, washing cars and filling pools or paddling pools.

For households, that means the familiar summer jobs that rely on a hose are off limits in affected areas unless an exemption applies. The research packet did not verify a broader list of exemptions, so those should be checked on each company’s own guidance before publication elsewhere.

The penalties can be significant. Reported fines for breaking the restrictions are up to £1,000.

Water firms are also asking customers to cut back beyond the bare minimum. In the case of Anglian Water, reporting said the company is asking people to follow the spirit of the restriction as well as its letter.

Scale and stake

The scale is one reason this story is moving quickly. The restrictions are affecting millions of customers across several regions, and the list could still grow if dry weather continues.

That matters because water companies are trying to avoid shortages during the peak summer period, when outdoor use rises and available supply can tighten fastest.

The restrictions also show how quickly conservation measures can escalate. In one area, the response may begin with advice to save water. In another, the company can move straight to a formal Temporary Use Ban if conditions are severe enough.

Thames Water has not imposed a ban in the reporting reviewed, but it has urged customers to conserve water. That leaves open the possibility that other suppliers could follow if conditions do not improve.

What happens next

The key question is whether Anglian Water confirms its final area list and whether any further suppliers join the current wave of restrictions.

Another point to watch is how long the bans remain in force. The research packet does not confirm end dates, and those will depend on rainfall, river levels and reservoir recovery.

The wider trend is already clear: water restrictions are spreading across England this summer, and the map may expand further if the hot, dry spell continues.