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Wessex Water Imposes 1.4 Million Customer Hosepipe Ban

8/19/2026

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Summary

UK Water Bans

UK water companies have imposed new hosepipe bans as drought forces restrictions on millions.
Wessex Water has banned 1.4 million customers in Bath, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, its first ban since 1976, while South East Water reports critically low tanks in Kent and 8,000 customers without water.
Experts say sustained rainfall is needed for vegetation to recover while 27 million people remain under hosepipe bans despite rain.

Summary

Drought Group Declares

National Drought Group calls it a flash drought, with 71.3 % of England and all Wales in drought after the driest July on record.
Met Office forecasts temperatures 2 °C to 4 °C below average by week’s end, with England and Wales highs of 18-22 °C.
Fire-severity index is expected to fall to low or moderate, easing pressure on emergency services.

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UK Water Bans

UK water companies have imposed new hosepipe bans as drought forces restrictions on millions.
Wessex Water has banned 1.4 million customers in Bath, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, its first ban since 1976, while South East Water reports critically low tanks in Kent and 8,000 customers without water.
Experts say sustained rainfall is needed for vegetation to recover while 27 million people remain under hosepipe bans despite rain.

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