Parts of Devon will face a hosepipe ban this week as a relentless summer heatwave pushes water supplies to the limit and triggers a desperate race to protect reservoirs.
South West Water (SWW) confirmed restrictions will come into force from 12pm on Tuesday, July 14, affecting parts of Mid and East Devon after what the company described as “exceptionally high levels of demand”.
Residents in areas including Tiverton, Cullompton, Bampton, Honiton, South Molton, Dunkeswell, Axminster and Lyme Regis will be banned from using hosepipes to water gardens, wash cars, clean patios and boats, or fill swimming and paddling pools.
The restrictions come after two extreme heatwaves in the space of a month sent temperatures soaring and triggered unprecedented pressure on local water supplies.
South West Water said demand has risen by around 5.4 million litres a day as households struggle through the hot weather, with treatment works operating around the clock for three weeks to maintain supplies.
The warning comes after the Met Office confirmed the UK recorded temperatures of 35C or higher in May, June and July during the same year for the first time ever, with hot conditions expected to continue.
David Harris, South West Water’s Managing Director for Water Services, said the decision had not been taken lightly.
“The extreme hot weather over the last few weeks has resulted in exceptionally high demand on our drinking water network in Mid Devon and parts of East Devon,” he said.
“Our local water treatment works is continuing to produce water at its maximum capacity and we’ve been doing everything we can to protect water supplies in the area for our customers.”
He added: “The decision to restrict hosepipe use is never taken lightly as we know how important it is for our customers to enjoy water wisely during hot weather.”
South West Water said it has deployed extra tankers to move supplies into vulnerable areas, while more than doubling leak detection workers and repair teams operating around the clock.
The company said its efforts had already prevented the loss of around 3.5 million litres of water every day through faster leak repairs.
Water is also being redirected from surrounding areas less affected by the heatwave to help stabilise supplies.
SWW said the restrictions would remain under daily review and would be lifted as soon as demand returns to normal levels and the network has recovered.
The move is the latest sign of the growing pressure extreme weather is placing on Britain’s water infrastructure, with hotter summers and prolonged dry spells increasing fears of further restrictions across the country.
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