No hosepipe ban as Anglian Water urges people to save water

The company says water resources remain secure, even after the warmest June on record and months of hot, dry weather following last year’s drought conditions.

Spring 2026 was England’s warmest on record and the second driest on record in the Anglian region, leaving some sources in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire at below‑normal levels.

Despite that pressure, Director of Water Services Ian Rule has been clear: “We have no plans to introduce a hosepipe ban this year.”

Anglian Water constantly monitors how much water it treats and supplies. (Image: Anglian Water)

Instead, Anglian Water is asking customers to avoid hosepipes voluntarily and make “small changes” at home to help keep supplies flowing.

On one of the hottest days so far, the company put 1,600 million litres of water into supply – around a third more than usual, and roughly the equivalent of adding an extra county the size of Lincolnshire to its network.

During the late May bank holiday, smart meter data showed average use rising by more than a quarter, from 120 litres per person per day to more than 150 litres.

Anglian Water says the challenge is not that water is running out, but that it must be treated and moved through pipes fast enough to keep up with record demand.

A graph showing how much water Anglian Water has supplied each day last week. (Image: Anglian Water)

During long spells of hot weather, water can be used faster than it can be treated and supplied in some areas, increasing the risk of burst mains and low pressure.

To reduce strain on the system, the firm is asking people to:

• Take shorter showers – aiming for four minutes or less.
• Use a watering can instead of a hosepipe.
• Only run washing machines and dishwashers with full loads.
• Fix dripping taps and turn off the tap while brushing teeth.

Residents are also being encouraged to “love your brown lawn”, reuse paddling‑pool water on the garden, and put off non‑essential jobs like washing cars, patios and decking until temperatures drop.

Anglian Water says customers in its region are already among the most water‑efficient in the UK, and that “small changes, big impact” is the message for this summer.

When lots of people cut back a little, it reduces demand on the network, helps water reach the areas that need it most and lowers the risk of disruption – all without the need for a formal hosepipe ban.