People across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are being asked to ditch their hosepipes to protect the environment and keep taps flowing this summer.
The Temporary Use Ban – better known as a hosepipe ban – follows the warmest spring on record, followed by a record-breaking heatwave, and comes amid forecasts that suggest even more hot, dry weather is on the way.
Why the ban is needed
These conditions have impacted the River Test, one of the world’s rarest chalk streams, which supplies most of the water to homes and businesses in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. River levels are now critically low, down 25% on what is normal for this time of year.
Tania Flasck, Director of Water Operations at Southern Water, said,
“We’re working round the clock to keep taps flowing and protect the River Test, which is at a critically low level following recent hot weather.
“After a record year of leakage reduction last year, we’ve cut leaks even further, by almost a quarter in Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Since January, we’ve found and fixed 2,840 leaks in the region, saving approximately 27 million litres of water per day. We’ll continue to do everything we can to ensure our pipes, reservoirs and water supply works are working as efficiently as possible – but that won’t be enough.
“While the hosepipe ban comes into force on 10 July, we’re asking customers to start reducing their water use now, to help protect one of the region’s precious chalk streams, and some of the rarest habitats on earth.
“I want to thank people for the incredible efforts they made last year to save water during the hosepipe ban. Their actions really made a difference. By working together, we can ensure we keep the taps flowing, protect the environment and reduce pressure on the River Test.”
Leaks cut despite pressure on supply
In an effort to save as much water as possible, teams are continuing to work at pace using everything from innovative smart technology and drones to working with dogs who are specially trained to detect leaks in rural areas.
Long-term investment to protect rivers
Southern Water is investing heavily in protecting the River Test and River Itchen, working with partners to help address flows, and improve habitats and migration routes for species including the endangered Atlantic salmon, southern damselfly and white-clawed crayfish.
With water scarcity a very real issue across the South East, we are also investing heavily in significantly improving water supplies to reduce pressure on our chalk streams in the long-term. This includes the UK’s first new reservoir in 30 years, major new water transfer pipelines, and innovative water recycling schemes. Together, these projects will help us stop taking water from these precious rivers by 2040.
But we also need to reduce the demand for water. That’s why we are asking our water customers in Hampshire and Isle of Wight to support a hosepipe ban.
What the ban means for you
We’re asking people not to use hosepipes for activities like watering gardens, filling paddling pools or washing cars. A hosepipe uses 1,000 litres of water an hour – that’s one person’s weekly water use in just 60 minutes. Simple swaps like using a watering can or bucket instead will bring usage down quickly.
Although the ban will come into effect from 00:01 next Friday, 10th July 2026, the request to our household customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is please to put down their hosepipes now, to avoid putting the network under further pressure.
Who is exempt
There are exemptions to the ban, including for Priority Services Register and WaterSure customers with mobility or health needs, such as Blue Badge holders.
For full details, including information on exemptions, FAQs and water-saving tips, please visit the website.
News shared by Southern Water’s media team. Ed
