Hundreds of thousands of households have been banned from using hosepipes as Britain’s blistering heatwave pushes water supplies to the brink.
South East Water has imposed emergency restrictions on around 850,000 customers across Kent after soaring temperatures and record demand drained supplies faster than they can be replenished.
The ban, which came into force immediately, prohibits residents from watering gardens with hoses, washing cars, cleaning patios and filling paddling pools as officials battle to prevent widespread shortages.
The water company said it had already boosted output by more than 100 million litres a day — enough to supply several large towns — but warned that demand remains dangerously high.
Outgoing chief executive Dave Hinton said the sustained heatwave meant water was being drawn from storage tanks faster than treatment plants could replace it.
The restrictions come as extreme red heat alerts remain in force across large parts of England, with temperatures pushing towards record-breaking levels.
The scorching conditions have already caused travel disruption, forced classroom closures and prompted fresh warnings about pressure on essential infrastructure.
With every available treatment works operating at full capacity and repair crews tackling leaks around the clock, water bosses are urging customers to conserve supplies before the situation worsens.
The move is likely to fuel fears that prolonged periods of extreme heat could make summer water restrictions an increasingly common feature of life in Britain.
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