Hosepipe bans imposed in Kent and Hampshire due to heatwave
Southern Water and South East Water have imposed hosepipe bans affecting 1.85 million customers in Kent, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight due to hot weather and high demand.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Hosepipe bans have been imposed in parts of southern England as the country experiences a prolonged period of hot weather and high water demand. South East Water introduced a ban for its 850,000 customers in Kent from today, while Southern Water will follow with a similar restriction for around one million households in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from 10 July. The combined bans affect approximately 1.85 million people.
The restrictions mean customers cannot use hosepipes to water gardens, clean cars, or fill paddling pools. Businesses such as garden centres are exempt, but owners report a sharp drop in sales because customers believe they cannot water new plants. One nursery in Swanley said it lost nearly a million pounds in sales during a similar ban last year.
Public anger has been fuelled by revelations that South East Water loses more than 100 million litres of water every day through leaks. The company has faced criticism over supply interruptions earlier this year, which led to the resignation of its chief executive and an investigation by the water regulator. Some residents said they would not report neighbours who break the ban, arguing that the company should fix its infrastructure first.
South East Water said the ban is temporary and will be lifted once demand falls to manageable levels. It warned that customers who breach the ban could face fines of up to 1,000 pounds. The company stressed that the measure is about protecting drinking water supplies, not penalising people.
In response to the restrictions, gardeners are being encouraged to use water more efficiently. Tips include collecting rainwater, using watering cans instead of hosepipes, covering soil with membrane to retain moisture, and using drip irrigation systems. Allotment holders in Warwickshire said they have adapted by puddling water into the ground and letting plants fend for themselves.
The bans come as the UK braces for a third heatwave of the year, with temperatures expected to reach 35 degrees Celsius in some areas. Water companies have urged customers to use water wisely, even in regions not yet subject to restrictions.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC One | ITV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Water imposed a hosepipe ban in Kent, affecting over 800,000 customers. | |||
| Southern Water and South East Water announced hosepipe bans; Southern Water ban starts 10 July covering 1 million households in Hampshire and Isle of Wight, South East Water ban starts immediately covering 850,000 households in Kent. | |||
| Southern Water will implement a hosepipe ban for around one million households in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, starting next week. | |||
| Breaching the hosepipe ban can result in a fine of up to £1,000. | · | · | |
| Southeast Water loses more than 100 million litres of water per day through leaks. | · | · | |
| The ban could save between 3 and 7% of daily water use. | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
5 News at Lunchtime gave a brief, factual summary of the bans, focusing on the dates and areas affected. It did not include interviews or public reaction, and quickly moved on to other news items such as the England football team. The tone was neutral and concise.
- “Southern water customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will be banned from watering gardens and filling paddling pools from the 10th of July with south-east water also imposing restrictions in Kent from today.”
BBC ONE West provided the most in-depth coverage, including a report from Kent with interviews with a nursery owner, a water company spokesperson, and members of the public. It highlighted the business impact, public anger over leaks, and the enforcement process. A separate segment offered practical gardening advice for coping with the ban. The tone was balanced but gave voice to criticism of the water company.
- “People have stopped buying plants at the moment because they believe they cannot water them, and our sales have fallen off a cliff.”
- “This is about protecting customer supplies, making sure we've got enough drinking water for people as we go through yet another record hot period.”
- “If the companies that are supplying us with the water can't get their bits right with the percentage of fluff that's going down the drains, then why should we suffer from the consequences of their actions?”
ITV1 covered the story across its lunchtime and evening bulletins, with a strong focus on customer anger and the leak issue. It included live reports from a garden centre in Kent, interviews with the owner and the public, and a map showing affected areas. The tone was critical of the water company, repeatedly highlighting the 100 million litres of daily leaks. The evening bulletin also directed viewers to its website for more information.
- “Last month it was actually revealed that more than 100 million liters of water are leaked and wasted every single day by Southeast Water.”
- “How is it that every time the sun comes out, we're not allowed to use the water when we need it?”
- “If they haven't got the water, they haven't got the water, I suppose. But it does seem, it only seems to have a little bit of hot weather. And then immediately they have a ban about something.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.