London hit with hosepipe ban as water use soars

• Millions of Thames Water customers are facing a hosepipe ban due to exceptionally dry conditions and high demand.
• The restriction, which applies to millions of people in London and the South East, will come into effect at 0.01am on Thursday, though Thames Water is urging households to comply immediately.
• The ban prohibits non-essential hosepipe activities such as watering gardens, cleaning cars, filling paddling pools, or topping up hot tubs.
• Thames Water reported usage 10 per cent above normal in the Thames Valley and Home Counties, and 7 per cent higher in London, following three heatwaves and the driest spring on record.
• The announcement coincides with reports that Thames Water's lenders are considering offering a “golden share” to the government as part of a revised rescue deal to stave off nationalisation.

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Hosepipe ban announced for millions more UK homes