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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Matt Atherton

UK-wide hosepipe ban warning - minister 'urges' water firms to take action on drought

Environment Secretary George Eustice hinted at Government pressure on water companies for a nationwide hosepipe ban.

He urged all water companies to take immediate action over the ongoing water shortage crisis.

Three providers have either already enforced hosepipe bans, or planned to introduce bans.

Mr Eustice admitted the current conditions were "very unusual", with a significantly lower average rainfall over the past few months.

He warned that he wouldn't hesitate to "step in and take further action" if he wasn't satisfied with the changes water companies were making.

Mr Eustice warned water companies he wouldn't hesitate to 'take action' (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Mr Eustice wrote in the Sunday Telegraph: "The recent record hot weather and low rainfall is a reminder to us all that water is a precious commodity.

"Water companies have a duty to ensure adequate supply and they have assured me that essential supplies are safe.

"In accordance with their drought plans, water companies across the country have rightly taken action to mitigate the effects of this prolonged dry weather using the range of tools available to them.

"I strongly urge others to do the same."

Southern Water had already imposed a hosepipe ban on customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

South East Water - which covers Kent and Sussex - and Welsh Water have told customers a ban would be enforced shortly.

The UK recorded its hottest ever day in July (Getty Images)

A hosepipe ban means there are restrictions on watering gardens, washing cars, and filling up paddling pools.

Weather forecasters warned the dry, hot weather is expected to continue into next week.

London and the South-East could see the mercury hit the low 30s Celsius, while temperatures across central England is expected to reach at least 27C on Sunday.

The unusually warm and dry weather climaxed last month, when the UK recorded its highest ever temperature.

It was the first time 40C had been recorded in the country; a huge 40.3C in Lincolnshire on July 19.

The day after, the Met Office said: "The record-breaking temperatures seen as part of the heatwave demonstrate much more widespread and significant heat than previous noteworthy extreme heat events."

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