Fresh hosepipe ban warning as fourth heatwave arrives

Tens of thousands of people have been warned to restrict their water use and only turn on the taps when essential, just days before the UK is set to be gripped by its fourth heatwave.

- HOLLY BANCROFT

South East Water (SEW) has told customers in Sussex that water reservoirs in the area are “falling quicker and earlier than usual”.

People in the area have been asked to only use water for essential use, such as for drinking, washing and cooking.

SEW already has a hosepipe ban in place in Sussex and Kent, but has warned it is monitoring water supplies in parts of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire to see if further restrictions are needed.

More than 8.5 million UK households are currently under hosepipe bans, with Southern Water, Thames Water and Yorkshire Water also bringing in restrictions following a spell of warm weather in July.

The latest warning comes as a yellow heat health alert has been issued for large parts of the UK next week, with temperatures set to soar past 30C in some areas.