Check to see which areas of Surrey are covered by a ban
Using a hosepipe is restricted across parts of Surrey(Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
A significant number of households in Surrey are now facing hosepipe bans, as water companies issue restrictions.
Last week Affinity and Thames Water issued limitations on how their customers can use water, after long periods of high temperatures and no rain. A ban for Surrey customers served by South East Water went into effect on Saturday, July 25.
Households under the bans are unable to use a hosepipe and pressure washers to carry out everyday tasks such as watering their gardens, filling paddling pools, or cleaning cars.
While the majority of people will be covered by the ban, there are a number of exemptions available including for animal welfare, health and safety needs and watering food crops.
A hosepipe can use 1,000 litres of water an hour, more than a family-of-four will use in a day. Restrictions on their use are a part of drought planning.
The restrictions come as the National Drought Group warns of the severe impact repeated heatwaves are having on our environment.
As of Monday (July 20), eight areas across southern, central, and eastern England were in prolonged dry weather, the stage before drought. England has only received 3% of its long-term average July rainfall, with the south and east of the country receiving nothing at all so far, the longest spell without rain since the mid-1990s.
However, not every home in Surrey is affected by the restrictions. While it is possible that new bans will be issued. Here is a list of all the areas that are impacted. It is also possible that not every household in an impacted area is subject to the ban, this depends on the water company that supply each area.
David Henderson, Water UK Chief Executive, said: “We are incredibly grateful to customers for doing their bit to protect our environment and preserve our water supplies.
“The last thing water companies want to do is restrict the amount of water people can use but demand is at unprecedented levels following the warmest spring and June on record.
“Water companies are doing everything they can to ensure the taps keep flowing with hundreds of technicians out repairing leaks and water being moved across regions to relieve the driest areas.”