Hosepipe ban for Affinity Water customers from today
The restrictions came into force from 00:01 a.m BST on Friday the 17th of July 2026
A temporary hosepipe ban has come into force from today, affecting Affinity Water customers across in parts of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, and London.
The decision come after increased demand for water, with June being the warmest on record for England.
Last month temperatures reached as high as 37.7C, contributing to the sustained hot, dry weather.
Affinity Water says it seen demand rise by 20% above average, while water received from Grafham Water reservoir is lower than usual.
Under the ban, customers must refrain from using hosepipes for tasks such as watering gardens, washing cars, patios, paths, driveways, cleaning windows, and filling swimming and paddling pools.
Certain groups are exempt, including Blue Badge holders, those registered on the Priority Services Register, and recipients of support through the WaterSure tariff.
Stephen Plumb, Affinity Water’s Asset Strategy and Capital Delivery Director said: "We don't take a decision like this lightly, but with demand for water remaining at exceptionally high levels, we need to bring forward the Temporary Use Ban to help protect water supplies for our customers, especially those who are most vulnerable, for the communities we serve, and for the environment.
“We know a hosepipe ban is disruptive, and we apologise for the inconvenience this will cause. We would like to thank customers for their support so far this summer and for working with us to help protect our water supply.”
Adding: “Every bit of water saved makes a difference and will help protect supplies as we continue through this prolonged period of hot, dry weather.”
The company said the ban will remain until water resources recover sufficiently and demand stabilises and that it will monitor conditions closely, providing updates as necessary.
List of affected postcodes:
CB9, CB10, CB11, CB21, CM1, CM3, CM4, CM5, CM6, CM7, CM14, CM15, CM16, CM17, CM18, CM19, CM20, CM21, CM22, CM23, CM24, CM77,
RM4, IG7, IG10, EN9, EN10, EN11 AL1, AL2, AL3, AL4, AL5, AL6, AL7, AL8, AL9, AL10, SG1, SG2, SG3, SG4, SG5, SG6, SG7, SG8, SG9, SG10, SG11, SG12, SG13, SG14, SG16, SG18, HP1, HP2, HP3, HP4, HP5, HP6, HP7, HP8, HP9, HP10, HP14, HP15, HP16, HP23, HP27,
LU1, LU2, LU3, LU4, LU5, LU6, LU7, WD3, WD4, WD5, WD6, WD7, WD17, WD18, WD19, WD23, WD24, WD25 NW2, NW3, NW4, NW7, NW9, NW10, NW11, N2, N3, N6, N10, N11, N12, N14, N20,
EN2, EN4, EN5, EN6, EN7, HA8 GU1, GU2, GU3, GU4, GU5, GU15, GU16, GU18, GU19, GU20, GU21, GU22, GU23, GU24, GU25, KT8, KT10, KT11, KT12, KT13, KT14, KT15, KT16, KT24, RG12, RG42, RG45,
SL4, SL5, TW4, TW5, TW6, TW13, TW14, TW15, TW16, TW17, TW18, TW19, TW20 HA0, HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA9, SL0, SL2, SL3, SL9, UB1, UB2, UB3, UB4, UB5, UB6, UB7, UB8, UB9, UB10, UB11, W7, W13