Hosepipe ban for water firm's customers across four counties

THAMES Water yesterday announced that a hosepipe ban will begin next week due to a higher demand in the hot weather.

- By Toby Codd

The order will affect customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire.

It comes after the Environment Agency placed the regions into the “prolonged dry weather category”.

The temporary ban will begin on Tuesday, July 22. It does not affect businesses where hosepipe use is part of their work, such as car washes or garden centres.

Residents in the designated areas are being asked not to use hosepipes. This includes to clean cars, water gardens, fill paddling pools and wash windows.