Environment Minister George Eustice says some local providers “have taken the right steps to mitigate the effects of this prolonged dry weather” – but other utilities have yet to follow suit. Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Eustice warned that the “very unusual” combination of record hot weather and low rainfall means suppliers need to do more to ensure there is an adequate water supply. A rubber ban has now come into force in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for the first time in 10 years – with restrictions to be implemented in Sussex, Kent and Pembrokeshire later this month. Thames Water, which has nine million customers and is the UK’s biggest water company, said temporary restrictions may be required unless the public takes action to use water more efficiently. It has warned that reservoir levels are below normal for this time of year and supplies will continue to decline over the coming months unless London and the Thames Valley experience average or above-average rainfall. Water-saving tips include changing watering cans, taking shorter showers and turning off taps while brushing your teeth. In the longer term, Mr Eustice said the government wants English suppliers to reduce the amount of water used per person by 20% without affecting quality of life – by cracking down on leaks. Emphasizing that everyone should do their part, he wrote: “Water conservation is about reducing unnecessary consumption, not limiting essential use. “There are many things you can do to save water in your home and garden. Installing a water-saving device in your toilet cistern or checking your household appliances for leaks can save huge amounts of water.” Mr Eustice added that he expects water companies to “step up” – and if they fail to make changes, he “will not hesitate to step in and take further action”. Read more: Find out the weather forecast for your area England’s driest July since 1911 People told to have enough of neighbors defying tire ban Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 0:52 How will the pipe ban be enforced? All this comes as the UK prepares for another heatwave. Highs of 28C (82.4F) are expected in parts of South and South East England today, with the dry weather forecast to continue for up to 10 more days. Met Office senior meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: “Overall August tends to be a wetter month, so it is quite unusual to have prolonged dry weather in August.”
