Wessex Water has announced a hosepipe ban after months of unprecedented dry weather, heatwaves and a continued lack of rain forecast, which has led to sustained high demand for water. 

The decision has been taken after more than 40 days of demand for water remaining at record breaking h

levels and the region formally declared as being in drought. We need to protect our water resources for both our customers and the environment. 

It is the first time Wessex Water have introduced a ban in half a century, since the famous drought of 1976. 

From Tuesday 18th August 2026 at 00:01hrs our 1.4 million customers - in areas including Bath and parts of Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire - must not use a hosepipe for activities such as watering gardens, washing cars, patios, paths and driveways, cleaning windows or filling swimming and paddling pools.