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Hosepipe Ban for Parts of Somerset as Resources Under Pressure
The restrictions follow prolonged sunshine and multiple heatwaves, as South West Water says demand is straining supplies and rainfall is well below normal.
- Starting 12:01 am on Saturday, August 8, South West Water will implement a hosepipe ban across Devon, Cornwall, and parts of Somerset and Dorset, restricting watering gardens, washing cars, and filling pools to protect essential supplies.
- Prolonged dry weather and multiple heatwaves depleted regional water resources, prompting the Environment Agency to declare drought status; the Met Office confirmed last month was the driest July on record since 1836.
- To conserve resources, South West Water is urging customers to identify hidden leaks; 636 repaired toilets in 2026 save approximately 58 million litres of water annually, as manager Megan Williams warned many leaks are "completely silent."
- Although South West Water customers in parts of Somerset face restrictions, Wessex Water recently stated there is "currently no prospect of a hosepipe ban" in its separate supply region, citing stable reservoir levels.
- Helen Wakeham, director of water at the Environment Agency, warned that a "second consecutive summer drought is an exceptionally serious situation" with long-lasting environmental and economic impacts as officials continue monitoring conditions.
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Total News Sources15
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution80% Center
Bias Distribution
- 80% of the sources are Center
80% Center
L 20%
C 80%
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