The Met Office reported that 2026 marks the first occurrence of temperatures hitting 35C or higher on six separate days. This announcement coincides with the anticipation of the UK facing its third heatwave in three months, with temperatures reaching a peak of 35.2C at Coton in the Elms, Derbyshire. The previous record was set in 1976 and 2020, each having five days with temperatures exceeding 35C.
Moreover, this year has broken records by witnessing temperatures exceeding 35C in three different calendar months and recording temperatures of 34C or higher nine times this summer. Affinity Water has joined other water suppliers in implementing a hosepipe ban due to the strain on water resources caused by the scorching weather and increased water demand. The ban, effective from July 17, will impact approximately 1.1 million households in South East England, including those in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, and parts of London.
During the ban period, individuals are prohibited from using hosepipes for activities such as watering gardens, cleaning cars, patios, paths, driveways, windows, or filling swimming and paddling pools. Stephen Plumb, representing Affinity Water, expressed the necessity of this action to safeguard water supplies amidst unprecedented water usage levels. He acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the ban while appreciating customer cooperation in water conservation efforts.
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