Half of England has been declared in drought by the Environment Agency - seven areas of the countare ry now officially in drought after record low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures.

Following the driest spring in years, three official heatwaves, record temperatures and sustained high demand, Thames Water is introducing a Temporary Use Ban (TUB), also known as a hosepipe ban, for all customers it supplies with drinking water.

South East Water is introducing temporary restrictions on the use of hosepipes introduced across South East Water's supply areas in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire; customers in the company’s Kent supply area are already subject to temporary hosepipe restrictions.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has warned that it is likely to introduce a ‘hosepipe ban’ this weekend across Mid and South Ceredigion, together with parts of North Pembrokeshire and North Carmarthenshire, unless exceptionally high water demand reduces over the coming days.

Cambridge Water has announced a temporary hosepipe ban to help protect local water resources and the region’s internationally important chalk streams.

Anglian Water has announced a temporary water use ban – also known as a hosepipe ban - for the East of England - the utility has not needed to implement a hosepipe ban for more than a decade.

South East Water is moving to restrict the use of hosepipes and sprinklers for customers in Kent with immediate effect to ensure that the company can provide a consistent public water service for all its customers in the county.

South East Water has published its draft Drought Plan 2027–2032, which sets out the steps it would take during periods of drought or high demand to ensure it delivers a reliable drinking water supply for the essential needs of drinking, washing, cooking and cleaning.

The Environment Agency has published a research report setting out the factual timeline of how the 2025 drought developed through the year in England.

Yorkshire Water is today lifting the temporary hosepipe restrictions introduced on 11 July across Yorkshire, following the driest spring in 132 years and a record-breaking warm summer.