Despite record UK temperatures and bans imposed by both Southern Water in nearby Hampshire, Wokingham has escaped a hosepipe ban. But with more hot weather to come will Wokingham be subject to a Temporary Use Ban?
Wokingham Flowers Still Being Watered
South East Water has imposed a hosepipe ban for customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This means that using hosepipes to water gardens, clean cars, ponds and swimming pools will not be allowed. Similar measures are being introduced across Kent and Sussex after the driest July since 1935.
The Met Office has warned there is “very little meaningful rain” on the horizon for arid parts of England as temperatures are set to climb into the 30s next week.
While it could mean another heatwave – when there is above average temperatures for three days or more – it is likely conditions will be well below the 40C seen in some places last month.
Wokingham Weather
Met Office chief forecaster Steve Willington said: “We could see parts of the UK entering heatwave conditions if the above-average temperatures last for three days or more. Many areas of the UK, especially the south will witness temperatures several degrees higher than average, but these values are likely to be well below the record-breaking temperatures we saw in mid-July. see Met Office
South East Water
South East Water is a UK supplier of drinking water to 2.2 million consumers in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire and is a private limited
The demand for water this summer has broken all previous records, including the Covid lockdown heatwave. We have been producing an additional 120 million litres of water a day to supply our customers, which is the equivalent of supplying a further four towns the size of Maidstone or Eastbourne, daily.
We have been left with no choice but to restrict the use of hosepipes and sprinklers from 00:01 on Friday 12th August within our Kent and Sussex supply area until further notice.
Southern Water
Southern Water is the private utility company responsible for the public wastewater collection and treatment in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent, and for the public water supply and distribution in approximately half of this area.
We’ve introduced a Temporary Use Ban from 5 August 2022 in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight for everyone who has their water supplied by us. At the same time, we have applied to the Environment Agency for a Drought Permit on the River Test – a vital source of fresh water for South Hampshire – to allow us to continue to take water if levels continue to drop
What does the ban cover?
A Temporary Use Ban (TUB), or a hosepipe ban before, even though you may not have experienced them. In simple terms, it means we all have a responsibility to save water and you must not use water for anything covered under the Temporary Use Ban. This includes the following activities:
Watering a garden using a hosepipe
Cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe
Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe
Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe
Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool
Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use
Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe
Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain
Cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe;
Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe
Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe.
Anyone flouting the ban, which will affect nearly one million people, could face a fine of up to £1,000 and prosecution.
Dr Alison Hoyle, director of risk and compliance at Southern Water, said: “We haven’t taken this decision lightly, and we know the temporary use ban will have an impact on our customers.
“We’re asking everyone in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to do their bit by supporting these measures and only use the water that they need.” see Drought Restrictions Checker from South Water