Is there a hosepipe ban in my area?

After England’s driest spring on record followed by the hottest June, the first hosepipe bans of 2026 have been announced.

This year the UK has experienced three heatwaves in just as many months, with temperatures soaring to highs of 37.7C (100F) and leaving water sources severely depleted.

England has only received 3 per cent of its long-term average July rainfall, while the South East has suffered the longest spell without rain since the mid-1990s, according to the Met Office.

In an effort to reduce the risk of water shortages, restrictions will prohibit the use of hosepipes for watering plants, washing windows, patios and cars, or filling paddling and swimming pools.

But is your area affected?

Thames Water has become the latest company to announce a hosepipe ban, affecting more than 10 million users. It joins five other water companies which have already imposed bans, meaning about 23 million households across England and Wales will be facing restrictions by the weekend.

This comes after South East Water extended restrictions across Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire on Monday.

According to the National Drought Group, eight areas across England are in a period of “prolonged dry weather”, the stage before drought.

However, the dry spell is expected to end soon, as the Met Office forecasts rain for this weekend and intermittently throughout next week.

Sign up to the Front Page newsletter for free: Your essential guide to the day's agenda from The Telegraph - direct to your inbox seven days a week.