Thames Water Asks Millions to Stop Using Hosepipes During Record Heatwave

Thames Water Issues Hosepipe Appeal to Millions

Thames Water has called on millions of residents across London and the South East to cease using hosepipes during the current heatwave. The utility seeks to curb a sharp rise in consumption that has reached as much as 50 per cent in certain districts, driven by outdoor water use in gardens and paddling pools.

Heatwave Drives Daily Routines

British households often turn to sprinklers and garden hoses in warm spells to maintain lawns and support family leisure. This pattern has intensified as temperatures climbed, reflecting the close link between summer weather and everyday water habits in suburban homes and urban parks alike.

Advice on Household Water Use

The company recommends watering gardens only in the evening with a watering can and allowing lawns to dry naturally where possible. Car washing should be postponed or carried out with a bucket rather than a running hose, while any reusable water from household tasks ought to be diverted to plants to ease pressure on supplies.

Infrastructure Strains Emerge

Thames Water crews are tackling hundreds of leaks as hot, dry soil shifts underground pipes. South East Water has also reported supply difficulties, with around 500 customers in Kent left without water at times, prompting its incident manager Steve Benton to urge use solely for drinking, cooking and hygiene.

Temperature Records Reshape the Region

Kew Gardens recorded 35.1C on Monday, surpassing the previous May station record of 29.3C and the earlier national mark of 32.8C. Stations across Oxfordshire, Surrey, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire logged new highs, with 163 locations breaking their May maxima, according to the Met Office.

Continued Warm Conditions Expected

Forecasts indicate temperatures may reach 30C in parts of London and surrounding counties on Saturday. Such persistence underscores the need for sustained restraint in water consumption as the South East adapts to shifting seasonal patterns and ageing infrastructure.

By Erica Thornton, Staff Writer