so now thames water has brought in a hosepipe ban affecting ten million customers across the thames valley and london. no more hosepipes to water gardens, wash cars or fill paddling pools until further notice. a breach could get you a £1,000 fine. but leaks, say critics of the industry, are as big a problem as heat. the company loses almost a quarter of the water it supplies and admits it must do better. leakage is a priority for us 24/7, 365 days a year. last year we fixed over 60,000 leaks, every week at the minute we are fixing over 1100. we ve got to keep that going. we never want to have customers out of water or have a supply interruption. there were already bans in much of devon and cornwall, west wales, hampshire, kent and sussex. today came thames water s, and yorkshire water will do the same on friday. for now, the bans are here to stay
it looks dry, parched behind you. what will it mean for people in the thames water area? 15 what will it mean for people in the thames water area? thames water area? 15 million customers thames water area? 15 million customers are thames water area? 15 million customers are waking - thames water area? 15 million customers are waking up - thames water area? 15 million customers are waking up this. thames water area? 15 million - customers are waking up this morning to a ban on using a hosepipe to water gardens, filling paddling pools and washing cars and windows and anyone caught in breach faces a fine of up to £1000. it is notjust london and the thames valley but surrounding regions as far as sevenoaks in kent, swindon in wiltshire and banbury in oxfordshire. behind me, as you can see, this is green park, looking brown after the summer heat and the picture across the region. the thames at its lowest level since 2005 and thames water say it is because of the extraordinary weather
thames says fixing the problem is not straightforward but some customers are starting to see water return. we have been talking about hosepipe bans and how many of them are already in place. but bans and how many of them are already in place. already in place. but it s likely that thames already in place. but it s likely that thames will already in place. but it s likely that thames will start - already in place. but it s likely that thames will start some . already in place. but it s likely i that thames will start some sort already in place. but it s likely - that thames will start some sort of hosepipe ban in the next couple of weeks. and of course that means. water companies have the right, once a drought is declared by the environment agency in england, there will be restrictions such as not being able to wash your car or water your garden orfill being able to wash your car or water your garden or fill paddling pools and swimming pools. so 7000 households in surrey not having
covering much of the country by the end of friday. people may see restrictions on how they use water at home and at work. a drought is defined by a lack of water due to extreme weather that has been built up over time. the four stages are normal , prolonged dry weather , drought and severe drought with england currently sitting in the second stage. if it s declared, water companies would be asked to introduce temporary bans on hosepipe use for watering gardens, cleaning cars orfilling paddling pools. yorkshire water is the latest firm to announce a ban. restrictions come into force in kent and sussex, and are already in place in parts of hampshire, the isle of wight and in pembrokeshire and a small part of carmarthenshire. hundreds of firefighters from at least seven eu countries are joining efforts to combat a huge wildfire in the gironde region of southwestern france.
at home and at work. a drought is defined by a lack of water due to extreme weather that has been built up over time. the four stages are normal , prolonged dry weather , drought and severe drought with england currently sitting in the second stage. if it s declared, water companies would be asked to introduce temporary bans on hosepipe use for watering gardens, cleaning cars orfilling paddling pools. yorkshire water is the latest firm to announce a ban. restrictions come into force in kent and sussex, and are already in place in parts of hampshire, the isle of wight and in pembrokeshire and a small part of carmarthenshire. the ongoing dry weather, along with last month s record breaking heat, has drained rivers and reservoirs, and raised the risk of wildfires. here s dan johnson. england s green and pleasant land is now looking pretty dry and parched, after weeks of hot weather and so little rain.