Thousands of households in the UK are set to face a hosepipe ban amidst the ongoing heatwave this summer. South West Water (SWW) has announced the enforcement of water usage restrictions in several areas of Devon starting from 12pm on Tuesday, July 14.
Residents in the affected regions are advised to comply with the restrictions immediately, which include refraining from using hosepipes for watering gardens, filling pools, or cleaning vehicles, patios, and boats. The impacted areas include Tiverton, Cullompton, Bampton, Honiton, South Molton, Dunkeswell, Axminster, and Lyme Regis.
SWW’s decision to implement the ban follows two heatwaves that led to record-high temperatures in the South West. The water company has witnessed a surge in demand, with approximately 5.4 million liters of water being consumed daily in these specific locations despite running treatment facilities continuously for three weeks.
David Harris, the Managing Director for Water Services at South West Water, emphasized the strain on the water network due to the prolonged hot weather. The company is working tirelessly to maintain water production at peak levels and ensure water supply stability for its customers during this challenging period.
In response to the increased demand, additional water tankers have been mobilized to deliver water to the affected areas. SWW has also ramped up its efforts in leak detection and repairs, preventing the loss of 3.5 million liters of water per day. Furthermore, the company is redistributing water from neighboring regions less impacted by the heatwave to alleviate the strain on the affected areas.
