Full Breakdown
Thames Water Extends Hosepipe Ban Amid Ongoing Drought
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Background: Persistent Dry Weather Across the Thames Catchment
England’s spring and summer have been unusually dry, with consecutive heatwaves straining water supplies. The Met Office confirmed that summer 2026 was the UK’s hottest on record, and the National Drought Group warned that almost three-quarters of England remains in drought. In the Thames catchment, river levels, reservoirs and groundwater have not recovered despite recent rain.
Key Data on Rainfall and Reservoir Storage
- Rainfall from March to August was less than half the long-term average.
- August delivered only 28 mm of rain, about 43 % of the historic norm for the Thames basin.
- By mid-September, reservoir storage in London fell to roughly 59 % of typical levels, well below the usual 78 % for this time of year.
- Nearby Farmoor Reservoir near Oxford stood at 75 % of its normal capacity, compared with a typical 93 %.
These figures come from Thames Water’s monitoring and the Met Office’s climate data.
Official Statements & Responses
Julie Morton, head of water resources at Thames Water, explained that September’s rain, while “very welcome,” is insufficient to offset the prolonged dry spell since spring. Morton also thanked customers for conserving water, noting that every reduction helps protect supplies for communities and the environment. Thames Water has increased leak-repair work, fixing more than 1,000 leaks per week—about 20 % above normal—and reporting an 18 % rise in leak detection compared with the previous year.
Verbatim Quote
- “While the rainfall we have seen in September is very welcome, it has not been enough to overcome the impact of the prolonged dry weather we've experienced since spring.” — Head, of water resources at Thames Water
The extended hosepipe ban, in place since July, continues to affect over 10 million customers in London, the Thames Valley and the home counties, with postcodes in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Berkshire among those impacted. Thames Water indicates that the ban will remain until “significant and prolonged rainfall” restores river, reservoir and groundwater levels to sustainable levels.