Wessex Water placed a hosepipe ban on several areas across southern and southwest England. The restriction includes parts of Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, and Somerset. Severe drought impacted the area heavily. Unusually high demand from a string of heatwaves put further strain on local supplies. Water levels declined sharply.
The company provides water to about one million people. It told residents to reduce daily water use to avoid more restrictions. Wessex Water has not indicated when the ban might be removed. It noted that conserving water is still crucial right now.