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Hosepipe bans have been introduced in some parts of the UK

Millions of people across the UK have been prohibited from using hosepipes as officials caution that drought conditions are becoming increasingly probable, while the nation endures yet another prolonged heatwave. Another record was broken on Thursday when the UK registered its eighth day at or above 34C in a calendar year, surpassing the previous record of seven days set during the summer of 1976 and in 2020.

UK officials have recently warned that the likelihood of drought conditions in certain parts of the country is growing, with authorities keeping a watchful eye on East Anglia, Devon and Cornwall, and water companies rushing to manage increasingly stretched resources.

On Friday morning, Anglian Water announced a hosepipe ban for its more than five million customers across the East of England. Dr Geoff Darch, head of strategic asset planning for Anglian Water, said: "This year has been exceptionally hot and dry, and we're already into the third heatwave of the summer.

"Every day of sustained hot weather increases the challenge of balancing supply and demand, and we are now at the point where we need to ask customers to help by hanging up the hosepipe, letting lawns go brown, cars go dirty and using water even more wisely to help protect the environment and ensure water remains available for all customers."

Cambridge Water has announced a temporary hosepipe ban affecting its 350,000 customers, marking the first such restriction in three decades. In a notice released on Thursday afternoon, the company said its teams are working round the clock to maintain supplies, however local water resources "are now under significant pressure" with demand reaching record levels following a prolonged period of low rainfall.

South East Water introduced a ban on July 3 for areas of Kent, including those in Ashford, Canterbury, Faversham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Snodland, Tenterden and Tunbridge Wells. Hosepipe restrictions are also set to come into force for approximately one million Southern Water customers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Six things you can't do amid a hosepipe ban

According to Anglian Water, during a hosepipe ban people should not use hosepipes for:.

• Watering gardens
• Washing cars
• Cleaning patios
• Cleaning boats
• Filling swimming pools
• Filling paddling pools