Thames Water confirms hosepipe ban to stay for millions despite wet September

Millions of Thames Water customers have been told that the current hosepipe ban will not be lifted until the region receives "significant and prolonged rainfall".

Although precipitation in September was "very welcome", the supplier said it remains insufficient to compensate for the extended period of dry weather experienced since spring.

Much of England, including London and the South East, remains in drought following an exceptionally dry spring and summer. Consecutive heatwaves and hot spells have placed extra strain on water supplies across the region.

Thames Water revealed that rainfall from March to August was less than half the expected average. August saw just 28mm of rain across the Thames catchment—a mere 43 per cent of the long-term norm—with September rainfall also tracking far below average.

By mid-September, London’s reservoir storage had dropped to 59 per cent, considerably lower than the 78 per cent typical for this period. Meanwhile, Farmoor Reservoir, near Oxford, stood at 75 per cent, compared to its usual 93 per cent average.

Julie Morton, head of water resources at Thames Water, said: “While the rainfall we have seen in September is very welcome, it has not been enough to overcome the impact of the prolonged dry weather we’ve experienced since spring.

“Across our region, rainfall between March and August was less than half of what we would normally expect, and while some river levels have responded to recent rain, groundwater and soil moisture remain significantly below average.

“We will need significant and prolonged rainfall over the coming weeks to be able to consider lifting the restrictions that remain in place.

“We know restrictions are frustrating and we’re grateful to customers for continuing to use water carefully.

“Every reduction in water use helps protect supplies for customers, communities and the environment.”

Thames Water has had a hosepipe ban in place since July for more than 10 million customers who get their water supplies from the company in London, the Thames Valley and the home counties.

When will the drought end?

Drought will only end when enough rain falls in the right areas – and regularly.

This will help rivers, reservoirs and ground water levels to restore and account for how much water we all use.

Last year, drought which lasted six months in some areas, was only broken after a week's worth of above average rainfall in the autumn.