THAMES WATER has confirmed it will introduce a temporary hosepipe ban for London "in the coming weeks.” 

The water company said it will impose the ban due to the long term forecast of dry weather. 

The timing of the ban is not confirmed due to a number of operational and legal procedural requirements, according to Thames Water.  

Thames Water supplies an estimated 15 million people across the South East, including in London, Oxfordshire and parts of Surrey.

Customers will be informed at the "earliest" time to ensure a co-ordinated approach, says Thames Water. 

The company urges customers to only use what they need for their essential use.

It comes as the UK prepares for a heatwave which could reach as high as 35C later this week.  

An amber warning for extreme heat is in place in parts of the UK with a heat health alert for central and southern England from Tuesday to Saturday. 

South East Water will also introduce similar restrictions across Kent and Sussex from August 12.  

A spokesperson for Thames Water said: “Given the long-term forecast of dry weather and another forecast of very hot temperatures coming this week, we are planning to announce a temporary use ban in the coming weeks. 

“We have written to the Environment Agency to update them on our approach and informed Ofwat. 

“The timing is not confirmed due to a number of operational and legal procedural requirements but we will be updating our customers, partners, regulators and stakeholders at the earliest time to ensure a co-ordinated approach. 

“In the meantime, we continue to urge our customers to only use what they need for their essential use.” 

 

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