Hosepipe ban comes into effect in Swindon
15 million Thames Water customers are now banned from using their hosepipes
As of today (24/08) customers of Thames Water, including in Swindon and surrounding areas, are temporarily banned from using their hosepipes.
The water provider say as a result of the "driest July since 1885, the hottest temperatures on record, and the River Thames reaching its lowest level since 2005 have led to a drop in reservoir levels in the Thames Valley".
It means households can not use hosepipes for cleaning cars and windows , watering gardens, and filling paddling pools.
Thames Water CEO, Sarah Bentley says "Despite investing in the largest leakage reduction programme in the UK, customer demand is at unprecedented levels and we now have to move into the next phase of our drought plan to conserve water".
"I’d like to thank all of our customers for the efforts they have already made to conserve water as a result of the media campaign we have been running since May. "
Thames Water estimates 150 litres of water are used per person every day, reducing daily demand to closer to 100 litres is crucial alongside fixing leaks.