Affinity Water Provides Update on Duration of Hosepipe Ban: What You Need to Know

Affinity Water has imposed a hosepipe ban in various parts of North and West London, a restriction that may extend for several weeks. This decision follows the company’s assessment that there is no forecasted “significant change in weather” in the near future. The ban took effect shortly after midnight on Friday, 10th July, with customers encouraged to conserve water to help safeguard supplies and protect the environment.

June has been recorded as the warmest month in England’s history, with temperatures soaring to 37.7°C. The region has been subjected to a relentless spell of hot and dry weather, further exacerbating the situation. Under the current restrictions, residents in the affected areas are prohibited from using hosepipes for various activities, including watering gardens, washing vehicles, cleaning patios and driveways, and filling swimming or paddling pools.

Monitoring Water Resources

An Affinity Water spokesperson provided an update, stating: “We continually monitor water resources, customer demand, and weather forecasts to evaluate supply and demand across our regions. This includes determining when it may be suitable to lift the Temporary Use Ban.” They emphasised that while they aim to minimise the duration of these restrictions, their primary concern remains ensuring a reliable water supply for all customers.

Current weather predictions indicate little to no significant changes, with forecasts suggesting a continuation of dry conditions in the weeks ahead, which would necessitate the ongoing restrictions. Affinity Water services a substantial area of the South East, including parts of West London, affecting locations such as Uxbridge, Harrow, Edgware, Northolt, and Feltham.

Geographical Scope of the Ban

The ban extends beyond London’s borders to include areas such as Epping in Essex, Watford and Potters Bar in Hertfordshire, as well as Staines and Weybridge in Surrey. Residents can consult a detailed map of the restricted zones to determine if their area is affected.

A comprehensive list of impacted postcodes includes: CB9, CB10, CB11, CB21, CM1, CM3, CM4, CM5, CM6, CM7, CM14, CM15, CM16, CM17, CM18, CM19, CM20, CM21, CM22, CM23, CM24, CM77, RM4, IG7, IG10, EN9, EN10, EN11, AL1 through AL10, HP1 through HP27, LU1 through LU7, WD3 through WD25, SG1 through SG16, GU1 through GU25, KT8 through KT24, RG12, RG42, RG45, SL4, SL5, TW4 through TW20, NW2 through NW11, N2 through N20, EN2 through EN7, and HA0 through HA9, among others.

Environmental Considerations

Affinity Water operates under the oversight of the Environment Agency, which allows the company to extract a specified quantity of water annually from sources such as rivers and the underground aquifers. The firm has expressed concerns that without intervention, demand could surpass the limits of their licence, leading to increased pressure on local water resources.

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