Millions more Brits hit by major new hosepipe ban amid heatwave

Millions more Brits will be affected by a hosepipe ban amid the crippling heatwave as a new water authority brings it into effect next week.

South East Water will enforce the ban from July 18, with further details to follow in the days to come. It comes after a hosepipe ban already came into effect for parts of the country today as temperatures could reach a scorching 33C.

The company stressed they've "been left with no choice" but to enforce the measures so they can "protect supplies".

Brits can no longer use hosepipes for these following tasks

• Water gardens
• Fill swimming pools
• Clean outdoor surfaces
• Wash vehicles

READ MORE: Hosepipe ban starts for millions in 33C heatwave – see where and what it means

David Hinton, Chief Executive Officer, South East Water, said: "Providing the public water supply during this prolonged period of hot and dry weather continues to be challenging.

"Despite asking for customers’ help to use water for essential uses only, regrettably we’ve now been left with no choice but to introduce this temporary use ban restriction to protect customers supplies and the environment across Kentand Sussex.

"The temporary restrictions, announced today, will mean customers will be prevented from using hosepipes for watering their gardens, washing cars, windows and patios, or filling swimming and paddling pools.

"We are very aware that climate change and other factors are increasing the frequency of these events. Hosepipe restrictions are an integral part of our drought mitigation in the UK and are designed to protect supplies and the environment."

Households in Yorkshire were the first to be hit with the ban after months of extremely hot and dry weather across England, with more high temperatures forecast over the weekend.

Yorkshire Water customers who ignore the ban could face fines of up to £1,000, but the utility previously said “we hope it won’t come to that” as it urged households to help conserve water by sticking to the restrictions.

The instructions comes after a yellow heat health alert was put in place for all regions in England until July 15. The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency, warns of the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over, or with health conditions, because of the heat.

Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said: "For the next three days or so, high pressure is in charge across the UK, bringing in relatively settled conditions. For most of the UK, it will be dry, sunny and warm. The temperatures will probably peak either Friday or Saturday, with highs potentially of 32C or 33C.

“As we go into Sunday, the eastern half of the UK might start to just cool down a tad. It’s still going to be very warm, but could jump down a degree or two. In the second half of the weekend some coastal areas, like the North Sea coast, may turn a little bit murky at times, but the weekend is generally hot and sunny for most parts of the country.

“That will obviously come with very high UV levels for most of us and also very high grass pollen levels, so not great news for hayfever sufferers.”