Jump to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleDan HaygarthThursday 20 August 2026 19:03 BSTRelated: Rain in coming days will not solve drought overnight – forecasterThames Water has warned that its hosepipe ban is likely to remain in force until the end of the year to protect the environment following a record-breaking dry summer.The restriction affects 10.1 million Thames Water customers, contributing to more than 27 million people currently facing water restrictions across England.July rainfall in the Thames catchment area was less than 1mm, though household demand has fallen by 3 per cent across London since the ban was introduced on 23 July.The Environment Agency forecasts drier-than-normal conditions over the coming months, with London reservoir storage currently lower than expected at 74 per cent.Thames Water, currently struggling under nearly £20bn in debt, said that a planned new reservoir in Abingdon is unlikely to be operational until 2040.In fullMore than 10 million people face hosepipe ban until end of the year, water supplier admitsMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in