# Hosepipe ban affects millions of households UK water resources under drought threat - **Source:** [BBC News](https://brifing.si/source/647b890e-c85e-45b8-9588-ccfecdec4a99) - **Published:** 2026-07-15 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/b46811e7-7e9c-4646-93c1-aabfc2252955 ## What is a hosepipe ban? Millions of households in southeast England face a ban on hosepipe use. The ban covers activities like garden watering, car washing, and pool filling. It has raised questions about effective water resource management and preparedness for climate change. ## What is the drought status? Drought is caused by prolonged periods of low rainfall. Environmental agencies in the UK declare drought or water scarcity based on current water levels and long-term weather forecasts. These declarations can trigger measures like hosepipe bans. ## Regional differences While most of England is in 'normal' status, areas like East Anglia and Hampshire are experiencing 'prolonged dry weather'. Wales and Northern Ireland remain normal, but Scotland's River Lossie faces 'significant scarcity'. ## State of water resources The UK's water resources come from rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater. River flows were low in June. Reservoirs are generally at normal levels, but groundwater responds more slowly in some regions. ## Impact of climate change Climate change could lead to drier summers in the UK. Rising temperatures draw more moisture from the soil, increasing drought risk. Historic underinvestment in water infrastructure exacerbates the problem. ## Future measures The UK government and water companies plan to build nine new reservoirs by 2050. Measures to tackle leaks and manage demand, including hosepipe bans and smart meters, are also being considered to mitigate future water scarcity risks. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crk661074ejo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._