Watering the garden, washing cars, patios, paths and driveways are among the banned usages
A hosepipe ban will see households in parts of London put under restrictions this week. Affinity Water has published a full list of postcodes across the south-east region hit by the ‘temporary use’ ban.
Affinity Water states it is asking all customers to use water wisely to help protect supplies and the environment. Last month was the warmest June on record for England, with temperatures reaching as high as 37.7C, and the region has seen a continuous pattern of hot, dry weather.
Under the hosepipe ban, customers in the affected area must not use a hosepipe for activities including watering gardens, washing cars, patios, paths and driveways, cleaning windows and filling swimming and paddling pools. The hosepipe ban will remain in place until water resources recover sufficiently, and demand returns to a sustainable level.
The full list of affected postcodes is as follows:
- CB9, CB10, CB11, CB21, CM1, CM3, CM4, CM5, CM6, CM7, CM14, CM15, CM16, CM17, CM18, CM19, CM20, CM21, CM22, CM23, CM24, CM77
- RM4
- IG7, IG10
- EN9, EN10, EN11
- AL1, AL2, AL3, AL4, AL5, AL6, AL7, AL8, AL9, AL10
- HP1, HP2, HP3, HP4, HP5, HP6, HP7, HP8, HP9, HP10, HP14, HP15, HP16, HP23, HP27
- LU1, LU2, LU3, LU4, LU5, LU6, LU7
- WD3, WD4, WD5, WD6, WD7, WD17, WD18, WD19, WD23, WD24, WD25
- SG1, SG2, SG3, SG4, SG5, SG6, SG7, SG8, SG9, SG10, SG11, SG13, SG12, SG14, SG16, SG18
- GU1, GU2, GU3, GU4, GU5, GU15, GU16, GU18, GU19, GU20, GU21, GU22, GU23, GU24, GU25
- KT8, KT10, KT11, KT12, KT13, KT14, KT15, KT16, KT24,
- RG12, RG42, RG45
- SL4, SL5
- TW4, TW5, TW6, TW13, TW14, TW15, TW16, TW17, TW18, TW19, TW20
- NW2, NW3, NW4, NW7, NW9, NW10, NW11,
- N2, N3, N6, N10, N11, N12, N14, N20
- EN2, EN4, EN5, EN6, EN7
- HA0, HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4, HA5, HA6, HA7, HA8, HA9
- SL0, SL2, SL3, SL9
- UB1, UB2, UB3, UB4, UB5, UB6, UB7, UB8, UB9, UB10, UB11,
- W7, W13
Affinity Water is permitted by its regulator, the Environment Agency, to take a set amount of water each year from sources such as rivers and the underground aquifers that feed them. The firm states that without action, it is at risk of demand exceeding what its licence allows it to supply, which would put further strain on local water sources and increase the risk of disruption to customers over the coming months.
The company adds that demand for water is much higher than expected, up 20 per cent on average, and that it is currently receiving less water than usual from Grafham Water reservoir, which would normally provide around 10% of the region’s supply.
Customers registered on the Priority Services Register, those receiving support through the WaterSure tariff, and Blue Badge holders are exempt from the restrictions.
Stephen Plumb, of Affinity Water, said: “We don’t take a decision like this lightly, but with demand for water remaining at exceptionally high levels, we need to bring forward the Temporary Use Ban to help protect water supplies for our customers, especially those who are most vulnerable, for the communities we serve, and for the environment.
“We know a hosepipe ban is disruptive, and we apologise for the inconvenience this will cause. We would like to thank customers for their support so far this summer and for working with us to help protect our water supply.
“This weekend is critical. Every litre of water saved will help reduce pressure on our network, so we’re asking everyone to avoid unnecessary water use and put their hosepipe away now. Every bit of water saved makes a difference and will help protect supplies as we continue through this prolonged period of hot, dry weather.”
Affinity Water will continue to monitor conditions closely and will provide updates as the situation develops.
Customers can find full details of the restrictions, including a map of the affected area and answers to frequently asked questions at affinitywater.co.uk/hosepipeban .
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