Hosepipe ban map: Legal restrictions in place for 26 million people

Nearly 26 million people have their hosepipe use restricted as the fifth heatwave of the year has been forecast for this week. South West Water (SWW) became the latest supplier to announce an official ban on August 8, joining eight other water companies across the south of England and Wales.Following back-to-back heatwaves almost half of England and the entirety of Wales are now in drought, according to authorities. But officials at the National Drought Group will meet on Monday afternoon to decide whether more regions could fall into drought conditions.SWW issued a hosepipe ban in parts of Devon and Dorset last month, but has now confirmed that this has been extended to all customers in Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset and the Isles of Scilly.Sam Bottomley, the firm's water s