Sunshine, higher temperatures and lower rainfall. Our summer weather and the higher demand on clean water that goes with it, put pressure on the water sources we all rely on.
Help your sites to weather the effects of summer 2026, protect your operations from water disruptions and reduce unnecessary costs, while keeping water flowing for everyone.
Be summer ready.
Easy ways to save water, to cut costs and reduce waste
Check for leaks and repair any dripping taps, or loos, at your workplace. These may seem small, but can add big costs to your water bill.
It’s also worth checking push taps aren’t stuck in the on position and all equipment is working as it should and using the most efficient settings.
Sending us monthly meter reads (if it’s safe to take them). It’s a good way to monitor how much water you’re using and where savings are working. It can also help you spot any issues like leaks early, to stop unnecessary costs.
Fit water efficiency devices, like tap aerators and toilet flush-saver devices. They can have a quick and easy impact.
Businesses we’ve helped are already saving £17,300 a week on running costs, in 2026, after adding small, low-cost water-saving devices and stopping small leaks.
Install a water butt to collect water when it does rain, it’s perfect for watering plants or grass. You can even use it to clean vehicles and outdoor areas. During shortages, if there’s a hosepipe ban, rainwater gives you an alternative for non-drinking uses.
Have a water emergency plan, so you know where you’d get additional water. If you need to and encourage employees to look at ways to use less water in the workplace. Ask employees to turn off taps, report any leaks and identify any processes that could be wasting water.
Employee suggestion schemes can help to identify water saving ideas, which could save water and your business money.
And remember, using less water can help to reduce drought impacts and the level of restrictions put in place.
| Wholesaler | Restriction | Regions affected | Effective from | Link for more info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South East Water | Hosepipe | Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire | Friday 3 July (Kent), 25 July for other listed areas | Hosepipe ban FAQs | South East Water |
| Southern Water | Hosepipe | Hampshire Isle of Wight |
Friday 10 July | Temporary Use Bans (TUBs) - Southern Water |
| Anglian Water | Hosepipe | Whole supply area.Exceptions | Saturday 11 July | Temporary Use Bans (TUBs) |
| South West Water | Hosepipe | Mid Devon and parts of East Devon and Dorset. Further restrictions in August for all of Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset and the Isles of Scilly. Exceptions | Initial areas from 14 July. Further restrictions from 8 August. | Temporary hosepipe ban |
| Cambridge Water | Hosepipe Non-essential business use |
Cambridge Water Resource Zone | Friday 17 July | Temporary hosepipe ban |
| Affinity Water | Hosepipe Non-essential business use |
Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, and parts of London and and surrounding areas in Essex (CO7, CO11, CO12, CO13, CO14, CO15, CO16). Further hosepipe restrictions in August covering more of Essex including Clacton and Manningtree. |
Friday 17 July. Further restrictions from 17th August.
|
Temporary hosepipe ban |
| Thames Water | Hosepipe Non-essential business use |
All Thames Water area, for all sites supplied with the wholesaler’s water | Thrusday 23 July | Temporary hosepipe ban |
| Essex and Suffolk Water | Hosepipe | Whole supply area | Monday 3 August | Temporary hosepipe ban |
| Wessex Water | Hosepipe Non-essential business use |
Whole supply area | Tuesday 18 August | Temporary hosepipe ban |
Need more information, or help?
We support customers every year with reducing water and waste.
You can find more on our services , including leak detection and contingency planning.
No water, or low pressure?
Low pressure can be caused by dripping taps and leaks at sites, so keep on top of maintenance and repairs.
If there’s no water at your site, see if others nearby are affected. If they are, it's likely to be a wholesaler network issue.
You can find emergency contact numbers for wholesalers at
Sites already seeing savings
They’re chopping thousands of pounds off their 2026 bills, with smarter water actions and strategies.
