Cornwall MP and minister wants more water companies to bring in hosepipe bans
Environment Secretary George Eustice has issued a warning as the warm weather continues
Last updated 7th Aug 2022
The Environment Secretary and Cornwall MP George Eustice is urging more water companies to introduce hosepipe bans as the warm weather continues.
Southern Water and South East Water have already imposed those in some areas and here in Cornwall, South West Water has warned of possible restrictions due to the ongoing dry spell and "extremely high demand".
The Met Office has issued a 'Heat Health Alert' for the whole of the south of the country, which includes the Duchy and comes into force on Tuesday.
Britain is forecast to bake in temperatures of up to the 30Cs, amid an unusually dry August.
George Eustice said some firms have already "rightly" taken action to mitigate the effects of the prolonged dry weather as he encouraged others to follow suit.
His remarks are the first public intervention by ministers, signalling possible restrictions on watering gardens, washing cars or filling pools with hosepipes for millions more people across southern England in the coming days.
Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Eustice said: "In accordance with their drought plans, water companies across the country have rightly taken action to mitigate the effects of this prolonged dry weather using the range of tools available to them.
"I strongly urge others to do the same".
Meteorologists have urged people to avoid the midday sun and stay in the shade as the arid weather looks set to last another seven to 10 days.
Senior Meteorologist at the Met Office, Greg Dewhurst, said: "England and Wales will be dry with sunny spells (on Sunday)".
He added: "Maximum temperatures tomorrow (Monday) will be around 27 and possibly 28C which would be across central and southern and southeast England area.
"It will still be in the sun further north, even to the east of Scotland we might see 23C".
The dry spell look set to clash with hosepipe bans already imposed or due to be announced, with more firms likely to follow suit after the Environment Secretary's intervention.
"For the next seven to 10 days it looks like it will be dry for much of the country", Mr Dewhurst said.
He also urged people to follow precautions to avoid becoming overheated, including closing curtains and windows during the day, seeking shade and staying hydrated.
The Met Office outlook for the South West states: "The dry spell will continue throughout the middle of the week with plenty of sunshine. Temperatures continuing to climb making it feel very warm or hot at times".