UK on brink of first hosepipe ban since 2012 as Britain sizzles in 33C heatwave
BRITAIN is on the verge of a hosepipe ban with temperatures continuing to soar as the summer heatwave intensifies with forecasters predicting a prolonged dry spell.
Water companies are urging customers to voluntarily curb their use to prevent any potential compulsory restrictions.
United Utilities, which serves the North West, said it "urgently needed help and support" from its three million customers to stop a ban from being imposed.
The region has not had rain for three weeks, leading to plunging reservoir levels, and the company said it will have no choice but to enforce a ban if water demand does not fall soon.
If demand does not reduce in the next few days we’ll have no choice but to introduce enforced restrictions
A spokesman said: “We are still encouraging our customers to voluntarily use water efficiently, by avoiding the use of water hungry devices, particularly outside in the garden.
“However, if demand does not reduce in the next few days we’ll have no choice but to introduce enforced restrictions.”
A ban would prohibit householders from watering their gardens with hosepipes and sprinklers, cleaning cars and filling garden ponds and children's paddling pools.
The heatwave is now officially the longest since the scorching summer of 1976.
Rivers across the country have been drying up while even tarmac roads have been melting.
Hundreds of fish had to be rescued from the River Teme in Herefordshire after the water dried up.
Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said temperatures in London and south east are likely to reach 31C (88F) and 32C (90F), with isolated weather stations potentially reaching 33C on Saturday and possibly Sunday.
She said: ”We could well see the hottest day of the year so far this weekend. It's only got to go to 33.1C (91.6F) and you're there," she said.
Everywhere across the south will enjoy temperatures in the high 20s and even low 30s, but almost the entire country will be feeling the heat.
Ms Maxey said: "It's not just in the south east, but the peak is likely to be the south east over the weekend."
Next week, a colder front will come into Scotland and move south across the country causing temperatures to drop to the low 20s in the east and north east.
The forecaster said: ”That’s still above average for the time of year, but perhaps a bit of respite from that intense heat that we've been seeing in places.
"Just for the east side of the country. The south and central areas are likely to continue with the higher 20s.”