SOUTH West Water has announced it will introduce temporary restrictions on hosepipe use for all customers across Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset and the Isles of Scilly as prolonged dry weather, significantly below average rainfall and continued high demand place increasing pressure on the region's water resources.

Temporary restrictions will come into effect from 00:01am on Saturday, August 8, although customers are being asked to begin following the restrictions immediately to help protect water supplies during the current drought conditions.

The restrictions mean customers should not use hosepipes for activities including watering gardens, washing cars, patios and boats, or filling swimming and paddling pools.

Water can still be used as normal for drinking, flushing toilets, washing and cooking.

The decision follows one of the driest periods in recent years, with rainfall across the South West remaining well below seasonal averages over many months, and leading to the Environment Agency declaring half of England, including the South West, in drought.

South West Water states in these situations, it is important to carefully assess what actions are necessary and appropriate in order to ensure a resilient supply of water to its customers. These decisions are also affected by the Environment Agency Drought Plan responses, and national and regional decisions.

Most recently, the Met Office has announced that England and Wales have provisionally recorded their driest July on record, with Southern England seeing its driest month ever recorded, in a series dating back to 1836.

Combined with periods of exceptionally hot weather and sustained high customer demand, water resources have come under increasing pressure.

South West Water says it has been working around the clock to maintain reliable water supplies for customers across the region. This includes maximising water treatment works production, moving water around the network to where it is needed most, increasing leak detection and repairs, and deploying additional resources to protect supplies.

Sam Bottomley, South West Water, said: "After an extended period of exceptionally low rainfall, combined with sustained high demand during the warmer weather, our region's rivers and water resources are under significant pressure. This decision has considered the Environment Agency’s drought status as well as the increase in demand in our region.

"Our teams have been working tirelessly to protect supplies for customers. We've maximised water production wherever possible, increased leak detection and repairs, moved water around our network and introduced a wide range of operational measures to make the best use of the water available.

"Introducing a hosepipe ban is never a decision we take lightly, and we fully appreciate the inconvenience it will cause. However, these temporary restrictions are an important step in helping to protect our rivers and essential water supplies for homes, businesses and critical services across the region.

"Every litre saved now will help protect our rivers and water resources while drought conditions continue. By making small changes to how we use water, our customers can make a real difference.”

South West Water is asking customers, businesses and visitors to the region to use water wisely by taking shorter showers, turning off taps while brushing teeth and only running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads.