Thames Water has asked millions of customers to stop using hosepipes to save water during a heatwave. The utility company's request comes amid increased water demand across its service area in London and the South East.
According to Thames Water, the demand for water has increased by up to 50 per cent in some areas of London and the South East. The company stated that this significant increase in consumption has occurred during the heatwave period.
Thames Water revealed that an extra billion litres of water were deployed across London and the South East over the bank holiday weekend compared to the same weekend in 2025. This figure represents the additional volume of water that the utility supplied to meet customer demand during the holiday period.
The request to stop using hosepipes follows what has been described as a record-breaking heatwave. Thames Water's communication to customers addresses concerns about water availability during this period.
The company's disclosure of the demand increase provides context for the conservation request. The up to 50 per cent increase in water demand in certain areas demonstrates the impact of the heatwave on consumption patterns across London and the South East.
Thames Water serves millions of customers across London and the South East of England. The utility's appeal regarding hosepipe usage applies to residents within this service territory who receive their water supply from the company.
The bank holiday weekend timing coincided with the heatwave conditions, contributing to the surge in water usage. The comparison to the same weekend in 2025 establishes a reference point for understanding the scale of the additional demand experienced during the current period.
The extra billion litres of water deployed across the region indicates the operational measures taken by Thames Water to address customer needs. This additional supply was distributed throughout London and the South East to meet the elevated demand during the holiday weekend.
Thames Water's request for customers to refrain from using hosepipes represents a conservation measure aimed at managing water resources. The utility has communicated directly with the public regarding the water supply situation and the need for reduced usage during the heatwave.
The company's statements regarding both the demand increase and the additional water deployment provide information about the current state of the water supply system. Thames Water has attributed the demand surge to the heatwave conditions affecting the region.
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