Hosepipe ban lifted for Thames Water customers after increased rainfall
Water restrictions end as groundwater levels recover across affected areas
Thames Water has officially lifted its hosepipe ban as of 7:00am today (27th November), following several months of above-average rainfall that have restored groundwater levels in affected areas.
The Temporary Use Ban, introduced on 22nd July for customers in the OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8, and RG9 postcode areas, was implemented in response to record-breaking dry weather during the spring and summer. The restrictions aimed to protect water supplies and the environment as part of Thames Water’s drought plan.
Rainfall in September, October, and November exceeded long-term averages, helping replenish resources. November alone saw 87mm of rain in the region, equating to 116% of the usual amount for the month, while Farmoor Reservoir, a key water source for the area, has returned to 90% capacity, which is considered average for this time of year.
Nevil Muncaster, Strategic Water Resources Director at Thames Water, thanked customers for their cooperation during the ban and urged continued water conservation efforts. He said: “We would like to say a big thank you to our customers for their support in helping to protect water supplies over the past few months.
“The rain over the last few weeks has helped restore groundwater levels in the region, which were still recovering after a record-breaking summer, and allows us to now lift usage restrictions.
"While groundwater levels feeding the River Thames, which is the source of water for Farmoor Reservoir, have recovered, we will continue to monitor rainfall and groundwater levels over the coming months to make sure we are still in a good position for 2026.
“We’re encouraging all our customers to keep using water wisely over the winter months so water resources in our region continue to recharge ready for spring and summer next year.”
Leakage levels and future plans
Thames Water has also made strides to improve water resilience. The company has achieved its lowest reported leakage levels, down 13.2% since 2020, aided by the installation of over 50,000 acoustic loggers on its network to detect leaks more quickly. It is aiming to deploy 100,000 such devices by 2027.
The water company has also installed approximately 1.2 million smart meters, primarily in London, and is expanding its smart meter programme across the Thames Valley. Customers with smart meters can monitor water usage in real-time, identify potential leaks, and save money on their bills. By 2035, Thames Water plans to have up to 3 million smart meters in operation across the region.
To secure long-term water supplies, Thames Water is progressing plans for a new reservoir in Oxfordshire. This reservoir is expected to serve 15 million people across the South East, providing critical supply resilience against future weather extremes.
Continued challenges
Despite significant rainfall in recent months, challenges remain. While groundwater levels and storage at Farmoor Reservoir have returned to normal for this time of year, reservoir storage in London remains below average. Additionally, soil moisture across the Thames catchment has improved but remains slightly drier than average in some areas.
The company emphasised the importance of ongoing water conservation and said it would continue monitoring resources closely to ensure resilience for future droughts.
Thames Water’s message to customers is clear: use water wisely now to help protect supplies for the warmer months next year.