Fifth UK water company announces hosepipe ban from Thursday with 10 million customers affected

The new hosepipe ban comes into effect on Thursday13:43, 21 Jul 2026The fifth water company has announced a hosepipe ban affecting more than 10 million people as the hot, dry spell of weather continues across the UK.‌Thames Water is the latest to impose restrictions as hot weather drives a surge in demand for water. The restriction, also known as a temporary use ban (TUB), will come into effect at 12.01am on Thursday, July 23. But the water company is also asking households to follow the ban from today.‌The restriction will affect the 10.1 million customers that the firm supplies with water across London, the Thames Valley and the home counties, but not to waste-only customers or those supplied by another water company.‌Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Da