South West Water hosepipe restrictions will be introduced in Mid Devon and parts of East Devon after extreme heat pushed demand on the local drinking water network to exceptionally high levels.
South West Water has announced temporary hosepipe restrictions for customers in Mid Devon and parts of East Devon, citing exceptionally high demand during recent heatwaves.
The restrictions will come into effect from 12pm on Tuesday 14 July, although the company is asking customers to follow them immediately to help protect water supplies during very hot and dry weather.
The affected areas include Tiverton, Cullompton, Bampton, Honiton, South Molton, Dunkeswell, Axminster and Lyme Regis.
South West Water has directed customers to its hosepipe restrictions information page for more details.
South West Water hosepipe restrictions follow heatwaves
The decision follows two extreme heatwaves in three weeks, which South West Water said have driven exceptionally high demand across the region.
The company said demand has been particularly high in Mid Devon and parts of East Devon.
South West Water said its local water treatment works has been staffed 24 hours a day for more than three weeks to keep it operating at full capacity.
However, the recent heatwaves have increased demand for water in the region by around 5.4 million litres every day, placing pressure on the local drinking water supply network.
Restrictions cover gardens, cars and pools
The restrictions mean customers are asked not to use hosepipes for watering gardens, washing cars, patios and boats, or filling swimming and paddling pools.
South West Water is asking customers to follow the restrictions immediately, ahead of formal introduction at noon on Tuesday 14 July.
The company said the restrictions are intended to protect supplies while demand remains unusually high.
South West Water’s wider water resources information notes that spring 2026 was drier than average across much of the South West, with lower than normal reservoir levels in some areas and reduced river flows, according to Met Office rainfall data. South West Water’s reservoir levels page says the company is continuing to monitor water resources closely.
Company increases tankering and leak repair work
South West Water said its teams have been working around the clock on interventions to maintain reliable supplies in the affected area.
These measures include tankering water into the network, rerouting water from surrounding areas under less stress, adding resources for leak detection and repairs, and asking high water-use businesses to reduce consumption where possible.
During the heatwaves, the company said it has deployed additional tankers to transport water into the network from wider areas.
It has also more than doubled the number of leak detection workers and repair teams working around the clock in the area, preventing around 3.5 million litres of water loss a day.
South West Water says restrictions will be reviewed daily
David Harris, South West Water’s Managing Director for Water Services, said: “The extreme hot weather over the last few weeks has resulted in exceptionally high demand on our drinking water network in Mid Devon and parts of East Devon.
“Through the ongoing 24/7 efforts of our local team, our local water treatment works is continuing to produce water at its maximum capacity and we’ve been doing everything we can to protect water supplies in the area for our customers.
“The decision to restrict hosepipe use is never taken lightly as we know how important it is for our customers to enjoy water wisely during hot weather.
“We will continue to monitor our demand levels daily and as soon as we see demand return to normal for this time of year, allowing our treatment water supply network to recover, we will lift the restrictions.”
Heat raises pressure on drinking water networks
The announcement comes amid continued pressure on water networks during hot and dry weather.
South West Water said the Met Office had reported that temperatures of 35°C or higher have been recorded in May, June and July of the same year for the first time in the UK weather record.
The company said heatwave conditions were expected to continue into the following week.
South West Water’s current Drought Plan sets out how the company manages water resources in response to drought events across its supply areas.
For more coverage of water supply resilience and demand management, visit H2O Global News’ Water Management section.
Source: South West Water
