Hosepipe ban in Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex
Residents urged to cut back on water use due to hot weather and low rainfall
Last updated 20th Jul 2026
Residents across Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire are being asked to stop using hosepipes immediately as temporary restrictions have been introduced by South East Water.
This move follows a period of lower than average rainfall since March, coupled with extreme weather and increased demand leading to low river levels and the need to preserve certain groundwater sources.
The drinking water company, South East Water, has made the decision in order to ensure the consistency of public water service for all its customers in the affected areas. Customers in the Kent supply area have already been subject to similar temporary restrictions.
Water resources were initially stable earlier this year due to higher than average winter rainfall, but have declined due to receiving only around half the anticipated rainfall since March.
As a result, the levels have breached triggers specified in the company's approved Drought Plan.
Douglas Whitfield, Water Supply Director at South East Water, explained the rationale behind the restrictions, emphasizing the need to prioritize essential daily needs such as drinking, cooking, and hygiene.
He said: “We completely understand why everyone reaches for the hose when the weather gets this hot. It’s natural to want to enjoy our gardens and cool down, and we know how frustrating it is to hear that restrictions are coming into place.
"Our teams have worked incredibly hard to prepare for this summer, but the sheer scale of the sustained heatwaves and lower levels of rainfall mean water resources are starting to be impacted. Our absolute priority has to be making sure there is always enough water for everyone’s essential daily needs: drinking, cooking and hygiene.
"To safeguard our shared resource and help prevent any homes from facing a sudden loss of water, we sadly need to ask our communities to not use their hosepipes immediately. We are deeply sorry for the disruption this causes, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone helping us protect water supplies in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire.”
He further added: “We recognize how challenging these repeated restrictions are for our Sussex customers, by this being the fourth ban in five years. Our priority is to restore long-term resilience to break this cycle. We’re actively developing new water sources to build a more resilient supply for your community and to secure our water future."
From Saturday, 25th July, the temporary restrictions will officially be in force. However, customers are urged to comply immediately. This means refraining from using hosepipes for activities including watering gardens, washing cars, patios, boats, and filling swimming and paddling pools.