Kent June 25,2026 — Residents across Kent will soon face a hosepipe ban after South East Water announced emergency restrictions to protect drinking water supplies amid an intense and prolonged heatwave.
The utility said the Temporary Use Ban (TUB) has become necessary as soaring temperatures and exceptionally high demand continue to place unprecedented pressure on its network.
The restrictions prohibit customers from using hosepipes for activities such as watering gardens, washing cars, cleaning patios, and filling paddling pools.
Explaining the decision, South East Water Chief Executive David Hinton said: “The sheer scale of this sustained heatwave means drinking water is being drawn from our storage tanks faster than it can be treated and refilled.”
According to the company, despite increasing production to supply millions of extra litres of water each day, demand has continued to outstrip the pace at which treated water can be replenished.
The announcement has not been welcomed by everyone. Some customers have expressed frustration, particularly those who have already experienced supply interruptions in recent weeks.
Speaking to the BBC, one resident criticized the move, saying: “It’s really not ideal as they restricted our supply and now they’re saying we have to restrict our water usage.”
South East Water maintains that the temporary restrictions are essential to safeguard water supplies for homes and critical services while the region experiences unusually dry conditions.
The company is urging customers to conserve water by using watering cans instead of hoses, fixing leaks promptly, and avoiding unnecessary outdoor water use.
The hosepipe ban is one of the clearest signs yet of the strain that extreme weather is placing on water infrastructure across parts of the UK.
With forecasters warning that hot and dry conditions could persist, water conservation is expected to remain a key priority throughout the summer.
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