Anglian Water has introduced its first hosepipe ban in a decade, restricting domestic use for more than 5 million customers across the East of England from early Saturday. The measure follows similar actions by Cambridge Water, which announced its first ban in 30 years, and Southern Water, whose restrictions for about 1 million customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight took effect on 10 July. South East Water introduced a ban across much of Kent earlier this month, while Affinity Water will follow on 17 July.
The restrictions come as the UK recorded its eighth day at or above 34°C in a single year, breaking the previous record of seven set in 1976 and 2020. East Anglia, the UK's driest region, received only 39% of expected spring rainfall, and June 2026 was England's hottest June on record. Amber heat health alerts remain in place across most of the country.