Hosepipe ban for millions more Brits – which new areas are affected?

• South West Water is implementing temporary hosepipe restrictions for customers across Devon , Cornwall , parts of Dorset and Somerset , and the Isles of Scilly .
• The ban, effective from midnight tomorrow (Saturday 8 August), is a response to prolonged dry weather, significantly below-average rainfall and high demand.
• These restrictions prohibit the use of hosepipes for activities such as watering gardens, washing vehicles, or filling swimming pools , but normal water use for essential tasks remains permitted.
• The decision follows one of the driest periods in recent years, with England and Wales provisionally recording their driest July on record, leading to drought declarations.
• South West Water stated the measure is crucial to protect rivers and essential water supplies, urging customers to conserve water during ongoing drought conditions.