Wessex Water placed a hosepipe ban across several communities across southern and southwest England. The restriction applies to parts of Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, and Somerset. Ongoing dry weather impacted the area heavily. Record demand from recent heatwaves put further strain on local supplies. Water levels declined sharply.

The company supplies water to about one million people. It urged residents to cut back on daily water use in order to prevent more restrictions. Wessex Water has not said when the ban might be removed. It emphasized that conserving water is still essential at this time.