Despite the UK experiencing its driest July since 1935, there is currently no hosepipe ban in place for Scotland. So far, temporary restrictions have been limited to parts of southern England.
Residents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will have to abide by the ban from August 5 while Kent and Sussex households will join them on August 12. It is anticipated that parts of London, the Thames Valley and Yorkshire could be next to follow suit if the lack of rainfall persists.
However, any potential ban for Scottish residents doesn’t appear imminent. Should the situation change, you can use this postcode checker to find your water provider and contact them to find out if a ban is in place.
Read more: Met Office issues yellow rain warning for parts of Scotland with possible floods
Is there a risk of a hosepipe ban in Scotland?
Despite much of England being affected by unusually dry weather, Scotland appears to be under less threat of a hosepipe and sprinkler ban. Scotland Water reported that levels across Scotland were normal for this time of year and there were no plans for any restrictions.
Why could there be a hosepipe ban?
Following record-breaking temperatures, and similarly hot, humid and dry conditions predicted for much of August and September, there have been concerns of widespread droughts. Water companies may therefore see it a necessary step to impose these restrictions to ensure water supplies don’t diminish.
Upon introducing their ban in Kent and Sussex, South East Water noted how the demand for water this summer has broken all previous records. They added the restrictions will help to "reduce the amount of water we need to take from already stressed local water sources”.
Although Scottish levels are stated as being normal, if the dry weather continues, then groundwater, river flows and reservoir levels could dip below average, which is the issue facing England. In July, the Environment Agency assembled the National Drought Group to discuss the subject of water supplies, later saying that it had gone into the early stages of its drought plan with water companies.
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