South West Water hosepipe ban begins at 00:01 BST on Saturday across most of south-west England, affecting customers in Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset and the Isles of Scilly. The company said the restriction follows prolonged dry weather and high demand on supplies, and it urged customers to follow the measures immediately.
Sam Bottomley, South West Water’s water services director, said introducing a hosepipe ban was never a decision taken “lightly”. He said: “After an extended period of exceptionally low rainfall, combined with sustained high demand during the warmer weather, our region's rivers and water resources are under significant pressure”.
South West Water and Devon
The ban covers watering gardens, washing cars, patios and boats, and filling swimming and paddling pools. South West Water said water can still be used as normal for drinking, flushing toilets, washing and cooking, so the restriction targets outdoor and discretionary use rather than household basics.
The company said the action follows one of the “driest periods in recent years” after drought was declared by the Environment Agency for more than half of England in July. The Met Office said July 2026 was the driest for England and Wales since records began 190 years ago. South West Water said its region's rivers and water resources are under significant pressure.
South West Water and Cornwall
South West Water said it would continue to monitor drought conditions and provide regular updates to customers. Bottomley said: “We're taking these actions now to preserve the supplies going forward.”
He also said: “None of us want to restrict any of our customers using water but I think these proactive actions are important right now.” For customers, the practical point is immediate: stop hosepipe use in the affected areas now, and keep to the allowed household uses while the company reviews drought conditions and supplies.
South West Water and Dorset and Somerset
In July, South West Water introduced a hosepipe ban in parts of Devon along with Lyme Regis in Dorset. This new restriction is wider, reaching most of south-west England and adding parts of Dorset and Somerset plus the Isles of Scilly to the affected area.
Bottomley said the company had seen an increase in demand due to the heatwaves. “Every litre saved now will help protect our rivers and water resources while drought conditions continue,” he said. South West Water has not set an end date, so the ban stays in place while the company keeps monitoring rainfall, demand and water resources.
