Bedford Borough residents will be banned from using hosepipes from tomorrow (Saturday) morning following months of prolonged dry weather and record-breaking demand.
The restrictions will be legally enforced from 1.01am, though utility bosses want neighbours to live within the spirit of the rules immediately to safeguard local rivers.
This marks the first temporary use ban introduced by Anglian Water since 2012.
It follows the second-driest spring on record in the East of England, where only 39% of the expected rainfall fell, and three successive summer heatwaves.
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Operational teams have been treating and supplying 30% more water than usual to cope with the surge.
However, river flows across the region remain exceptionally low, and reservoir storage levels are dropping much faster than expected.
Dr Geoff Darch, head of strategic asset planning for Anglian Water, explained that the unrelenting conditions are placing local water supplies under increasing strain.
He noted that the company needs everyone to help by hanging up the hosepipe and letting lawns go brown to ensure water remains available for essential needs.
“This year has been exceptionally hot and dry and we’re already into the third heatwave of the summer,” he said.
“Every day of sustained hot weather increases the challenge of balancing supply and demand, and we are now at the point where we need to ask customers to help by hanging up the hosepipe.
“Letting lawns go brown, cars go dirty and using water even more wisely to help protect the environment and ensure water remains available for all customers.”
What the rules mean for your home
During the ban, domestic customers must not use a hosepipe, sprinkler, or pressure washer connected to the mains supply.
This restricts common summer activities such as watering gardens, washing cars, cleaning patios, and filling paddling pools or hot tubs.
Local gardeners can still use handheld watering cans, buckets, or water collected in a water butt to look after plants.
Drip or trickle irrigation systems are also permitted, provided they are fitted with a timer and a pressure-reducing valve to deliver water directly to the soil.
Commercial businesses are exempt from the mandatory restrictions, though they are being urged to use supplies wisely.
Exceptions are also in place for animal welfare, religious practices, and health and safety requirements.
Residents who cannot make reasonable adjustments due to a medical condition or disability can apply for an exception through the company’s priority services register.
Daniel Johns, managing director of Water Resources East, commented that an extreme combination of circumstances has made the ban the right decision to protect the local environment.
He added that while everyone has a right to world-class drinking water, the community must take collective responsibility during heatwaves.
Anglian Water stated it is redeploying teams to locate and fix network leaks faster using artificial intelligence and drones.
Long-term resilience projects are also underway, including a 300km strategic pipeline and proposals for two new regional reservoirs.
