Yep, it’s hot. The UK is sweltering through the end of its third heatwave of summer 2025, having peaked at 34C over the past weekend (July 12-13) – and, after Britain’s driest spring since 1893, all that hot weather hasn’t been good for the country’s water levels.
So, what comes with long periods of hot, dry weather? You guessed it – hosepipe bans. Water companies across England have already begun to implement hosepipe bans, impacting millions of Brits.
Wondering if you’ve been hit by a hosepipe ban? Here’s what you need to know, including impacted areas and when restrictions are likely to end.
RECOMMENDED: The best open water swimming spots near London.
Which parts of England have a hosepipe ban?
Yorkshire Water started a hosepipe ban on July 11, impacting five million customers who get water from the company. Yorkshire Water supplies West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire, part of North Lincolnshire, most of North Yorkshire and part of Derbyshire. The ban only impacts those who get their mains water supply from Yorkshire Water, not those who only have waste water managed by the company.
South East Water announced on Friday (July 11) that some of its customers will be under a hosepipe ban from July 18. However, not all of those supplied by South East Water are included in the ban – only those in Kent and Sussex are restricted. Southern Water customers in Kent and East/West Sussex are currently unaffected.
Thames Water is the latest to announce a ban, saying today (July 13) that customers in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire will face restrictions from July 22. Postcodes OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8 and RG9 are impacted.
When will the hosepipe ban end?
None of Yorkshire Water, South East Water or Thames Water have specified when restrictions will be lifted.
South East Water says the ban will end ‘when we’re satisfied that both customer demand and water supply levels are restored to a point where they are not breaching our Drought plan’.
Yorkshire Water says its restrictions will be in place ‘until we receive significant rainfall, and our reservoir levels return to a situation much closer to normal’.
Thames Water has said it needs ‘prolonged and significant rainfall’ before the ban can be lifted.
What does a hosepipe ban mean?
A hosepipe ban is pretty much what it says on the tin: a ban on using hosepipes connected to a mains water supply. That means no using a hosepipe to water plants, fill or upkeep lakes and pools, and wash windows or cars.
What is the penalty for using a hosepipe during the ban?
If you ignore the ban, you could face a fine of up to £1,000.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.