Kent hosepipe ban now in force as heatwave pushes water demand to near record levels

Thousands of households across Kent are now subject to hosepipe restrictions after South East Water introduced a Temporary Use Ban following weeks of exceptionally hot and dry weather.

The restrictions came into force at 12:01am on Friday, 3 July, and apply to customers supplied by South East Water across its Kent network. The water company says the decision was made after sustained high temperatures and near record demand for treated drinking water placed significant pressure on its supply system.

Although winter rainfall helped replenish raw water sources, South East Water says the challenge is no longer the amount of water available underground or in reservoirs. Instead, it is the ability to treat and pump enough drinking water to meet demand during prolonged periods of hot weather.

The company says daily water use has risen to some of the highest levels seen in recent years, with customers using almost 100 million litres more water each day than the average for June.

The restrictions are intended to reduce non-essential water use and help maintain reliable supplies for homes, businesses and essential public services.

Under the Temporary Use Ban, customers should not use a hosepipe or sprinkler for activities including:

• watering gardens or lawns
• washing cars, vans or motorbikes
• cleaning patios, driveways and paths
• filling paddling pools or swimming pools
• washing boats with a hosepipe

Watering plants with a watering can remains permitted, and some exemptions apply for medical, welfare and commercial purposes. Full details are available from South East Water.

The restrictions apply only to customers supplied by South East Water within its Kent supply area. Not every address in Kent is served by the same water company, so some households may not be affected.

South East Water has published an interactive map showing where the Temporary Use Ban applies and where different water-saving measures are currently in place.

You can check whether your property is affected and view the official map here: South East Water: Temporary Use Ban

No end date has been announced.

South East Water says it will continue monitoring water demand and weather conditions before deciding when the Temporary Use Ban can be lifted. The company is urging customers to reduce unnecessary water use wherever possible to help protect supplies during the current spell of hot weather.