General · 11 August 2026
England drought: 45 million affected as new water bans loom
Around 45 million people in England and all of Wales are now officially in drought as another heatwave hits. Southern Water has asked the government for permission to ban non-essential water uses, like filling pools or washing cars with hosepipes. The ban would take effect across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight if implemented, supplementing current hosepipe restrictions that impact 27 million individuals.
Reported by The Independent · How we write briefs