Thames Water keeps hosepipe ban as London reservoirs sit at 59%

Thames Water’s hosepipe ban will stay in force until its region gets sustained rainfall, which the company says could take weeks or possibly months. The ban has applied since 23 July and covers 10.1 million customers.

The company said the ban has not refilled its reservoirs, and rain this month is still below the long-term average. London has had about 41% of its average September rainfall so far. The Thames Valley has had about 35%.

London reservoir levels below average

On 16 September, London’s reservoir storage was 59%. The average for that time of year is 78%. Farmoor Reservoir, near Oxford, was at 75%, against an average of 93%.

Julie Morton, Thames Water’s head of water resources, said the region had less than half its normal rainfall between March and August. She said some rivers had risen after the recent rain. Groundwater and soil moisture, however, were still well below average. “We will need significant and prolonged rainfall over the coming weeks,” she said, before the company could consider lifting the restrictions.

What the hosepipe ban means for you

Garden watering is the main target. Customers are asked to keep hoses and pressure washers away from gardens and allotments, and that includes running a sprinkler. Topping up a hot tub or any kind of pool with a hose is also ruled out.

Cleaning is covered as well. A car should not be washed with a hose, and the same goes for hosing down patios, driveways and windows.

Not everyone is caught by the rules. Thames Water says customers who get only a wastewater service from the company may be exempt, as may water used to care for animals. Growing food can qualify, and so can some trees that have only just gone in the ground.

People whose disability or medical condition means they cannot reasonably change how they use water may also be exempt. Thames Water publishes the full list of exemptions on its website.