Anglian Water hint towards end of Essex hosepipe ban

Ban - Anglian Water implemented restrictions on Essex in July <i>(Image: KAROLINA GRABOWSKAKABOOMPICS/ Pexels)</i>
Ban - Anglian Water implemented restrictions on Essex in July (Image: KAROLINA GRABOWSKAKABOOMPICS/ Pexels)
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.

Anglian Water has hinted at when it could end the hosepipe ban in Essex in its latest update.

The ban, which was confirmed on July 11, has restricted hosepipe use in areas including Colchester, limiting activities such as garden watering, vehicle cleaning, and filling swimming pools or hot tubs.

A spokesman for Anglian Water said: "The restrictions will remain in place until water resources recover and we're confident that supplies have returned to more normal levels.

"We expect restrictions to be in place throughout the summer, but we won't keep them any longer than necessary.

"We'll continue to review conditions carefully and provide updates through our website and social media channels."

Exemptions apply for those on the Priority Services Register, and for health and safety needs, animal welfare, religious observance, and certain business uses.

This is the first hosepipe ban in the region since 2012 and comes after a period of extreme heat, with temperatures climbing above 35C.

The spokesman added: "When hosepipe restrictions were first introduced, the focus was on both reducing exceptionally high water use as well as protecting water resources during periods of hot, dry weather.

"Today, the drought situation is becoming more severe, so it is important that we continue to focus on protecting local rivers, water resources and the environment."

The longest UK hosepipe ban on record lasted more than 400 days in 1990.

Get involved
with the news

Send your news & photos