Wales imposes hosepipe ban on 33,000 homes amid prolonged dry weather

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water announced a temporary hosepipe ban affecting about 33,000 properties in mid and west Wales—covering parts of Ceredigion, north Pembrokeshire and north Carmarthenshire—from 10 am on Sunday, 19 July. The ban follows a period of exceptionally high water demand, around 20 % above normal, driven by a hot, dry spell. Welsh Water said reservoirs remain healthy but the "challenge is producing, treating, storing and moving enough drinking water" and introduced the restriction to protect essential supplies. The company is operating treatment works at full capacity, deploying tankers and repairing leaks.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has moved parts of Wales, including large areas of Powys, to a prolonged‑dry‑weather status after July received only 5 % of expected rainfall, placing pressure on rivers, groundwater, fisheries and wildlife. NRW manager Rhian Thomas warned the recent heatwaves are taking a toll on the environment.

The Environment Agency likewise placed Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly under prolonged dry weather status after England’s warmest spring on record and successive summer heatwaves.

Across the UK, the Met Office reported the longest unbroken dry spell this century in central and south‑east England, prompting hosepipe bans from several water suppliers and raising concerns of drought conditions.