Thames Water has implemented a hosepipe ban that will impact approximately 1.1 million residents across various postcode regions.

The company announced that this restriction will take effect on July 22 across Swindon, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Wiltshire, citing insufficient rainfall and heightened demand that has strained water resources.

The ban prohibits activities such as garden watering, car washing, and filling paddling pools with hosepipes. Violators of this ban may face fines of up to £1,000.

This announcement follows the Environment Agency declaring a prolonged dry weather state for significant areas in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Surrey.

The temporary restrictions will target postcode areas starting with OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8, and RG9.

Notably, businesses that rely on hosepipe use for their operations, like garden centers and car washes, are exempt from this ban. Nonetheless, Thames Water urges all residents to be “mindful” of their water consumption.

The ongoing hot weather has resulted in reduced water availability alongside increased demand, with customers consuming as much as 30% more water when temperatures exceed 25°C.

Nevil Muncaster, Thames Water’s strategic water resources director, expressed concerns that he does not foresee an improvement in the situation in the near future.

“We must act promptly,” he stated.

“This spring and summer have posed challenges due to significant surges in customer demand during hot, dry weather, compounded by minimal rainfall to restore local supplies in the Thames Valley.”

He encouraged all customers, both within and outside the ban areas, to conserve water through measures such as turning off taps while brushing teeth, taking shorter showers, and avoiding lawn watering.