Thames Water Hosepipe Ban 2026: Affected Areas & What You Can Do

On 21 July 2026, Thames Water announced a hosepipe ban affecting 10.1 million drinking water customers, starting Thursday. The ban follows an "exceptionally warm and dry spring" that left the region with only 40% of average rainfall and more days at or above 34°C than ever recorded. The company's director of strategic water resources, Nevil Muncaster, said the step was necessary "to protect water supplies for everyone and the environment."

Thames Water provides water and wastewater services to 16 million customers overall, but the ban applies specifically to those it supplies with drinking water across parts of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Surrey, the Thames Valley, Greater London, and surrounding areas. The restrictions mean hosepipes should not be used for watering gardens or allotments, cleaning cars, filling paddling pools or swimming pools, or cleaning windows.

Why the ban now?

The company cited three heatwaves that contributed to the decision. Water use is currently 10% above normal in the Thames Valley and Home Counties and 7% above normal in London, adding an extra 100 million litres of demand every day. During peak periods, water has been used faster than it can be treated and moved through parts of the network, placing additional pressure on local supplies.

Muncaster added: "While there is enough water for essential use, we need to reduce non-essential outdoor demand to keep taps flowing." Teams are working 24/7 to keep water moving, fix leaks, and support customers. The situation will be kept under close review, with restrictions lifted when safe to do so.

Which areas are affected?

The ban covers all Thames Water drinking water customers in:

• Gloucestershire
• Wiltshire
• Surrey
• The Thames Valley
• Greater London
• Surrounding areas

Thames Water is not alone. More than 20 million households across southern England and parts of Wales now face hosepipe bans. Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, South East Water, Southern Water, Thames Water, and Welsh Water have all imposed or announced bans. South East Water has announced it will extend its hosepipe ban to include all of its 2.4 million customers.

What can you still do?

Gardeners can still fill a watering can from a tap to water plants. The ban targets hosepipe use, not manual watering. This means you can still tend to flower beds, vegetable patches, and potted plants using a watering can. The restriction applies to hosepipes for watering gardens or allotments, cleaning cars, filling paddling pools or swimming pools, and cleaning windows.

How water companies decide on bans

Water companies implement hosepipe bans when water in reservoirs and rivers falls below a particular level. Anglian Water, explaining its own ban last week, said river levels across much of its region were below normal, with some rivers at notably or exceptionally low levels. Reservoir storage levels were also lower than expected for that time of year.

Thames Water's decision reflects a combination of low rainfall, high temperatures, and sustained demand. The company said its region had seen 40% of average rainfall, and more days at or above 34°C this year than ever recorded before.

What happens next?

Thames Water says it will keep the situation under close review and lift restrictions when safe to do so. No end date has been announced. The company is working 24/7 to keep water moving, fix leaks, and support customers. For now, the ban remains in place for all non-essential outdoor water use.

For more on how technology is helping monitor and manage water resources, see our coverage of storm tracking tech and weather monitoring systems.