Hosepipe ban in force for millions of households - is your area affected?

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Hosepipe ban in force for millions of households - is your area affected? Image source, Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesByMark Poynting, Climate reporter, Jess Carr, Data designer and Phil Leake, Data journalistPublished2 July 2025Updated 2 minutes agoHosepipe bans have been introduced in parts of south-east England as successive heatwaves have left water supplies under strain in parts of the UK. But while spring and early summer have been relatively dry for much of the country - with temperatures regularly exceeding 30C - winter was much wetter than usual.

More than eight million households have been placed under hosepipe bans. This means hosepipes cannot be used for watering gardens, washing vehicles and windows and filling pools. It has raised questions about how effectively water resources are being managed, and whether the UK is prepared for drier summers expected with climate change.

The Details

So how is your area doing and how close are you to a drought? There is no single definition of drought, but it is ultimately caused by a prolonged period of low rainfall, which has knock-on effects for nature, agriculture and water supplies. Environmental bodies in each UK nation decide whether to declare drought or water scarcity based on an assessment of current water levels and long-term weather forecasts.

Both of these states can trigger a hosepipe ban. Drought is a lack of precipitation, whereas water scarcity is about a mismatch between water supply and demand - so it is not just about the weather. This summer, bans have been introduced to manage high water demand.

Mixed picture across the countryIn England, most areas are in "normal" status, according to the Environment Agency. So far, five water companies in England have announced hosepipe bans. In East Anglia, the Cam and Ely Ouse, North West Norfolk and North Norfolk catchments are in "prolonged dry weather" status - the category below drought.

What Experts Say

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight part of the Solent and South Downs Area are also in prolonged dry weather. All of Wales is in "normal" status, according to Natural Resources Wales, while there are no official droughts currently in Northern Ireland. Scotland does not declare droughts but monitors "water scarcity".

The River Lossie in north-east Scotland is in the most extreme category of "significant scarcity". Rivers, reservoirs and groundwater - how are supplies? Our three main sources of water are rivers, reservoirs and from deep underground.

Following the hot, dry weather, river flows were low in June for parts of the UK. "Without significant rainfall we could see increasing impacts on wildlife, agriculture and water resources as the summer progresses," said Steve Turner, a hydrologist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH). Reservoirs are a crucial part of water supplies and levels in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland are all "healthy" and above expected for this time of year.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.