According to the Environment Agency, after experiencing weeks of heavy rainfall in the UK, the levels of water bodies are now drastically improved. Plus, the country’s weather has also kept the conditions of drought and water-restrictions at bay. While three of the biggest water companies – Thames Water, Anglian Water and Southern Water – have nodded to lift the hosepipe ban, the others are not in the mood to. Fearing the irregular nature of the British weather that might again cause drought-like circumstances to take place, South East Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Veolia Water Southeast and Veolia Water Central confirmed that the hosepipe bans are here to stay.

Sustainability director for Thames Water, that has more than 8 million customers widespread across London and the Thames Valley, Richard Aylard said: “We don’t need a ban, but we do need to ask everyone to keep on using water wisely.”

In a bid to save more than 100 litres a day, it was on April 05 that Thames Water had made the hosepipe ban compulsory across the whole of London and Thames Valley. Conversely though, within hours of the ban being imposed, the skies opened up to bring in three times of the average rainfall – which was something that April would have apparently never experienced. Downpours in the Thames Valley continued in the month of May and June as well.
 

Meanwhile, an Anglian Water spokesman cited, “It’s in reflection of the wet and April and May and the start of June that we’ve seen and the remarkable recovery in surface water stores.” He further regarded groundwater stores as another positive aspect that contributed to the recovery from water restrictions. Mentioning that Anglian would not be forced to oblige its customers with another ban this year, the spokesman also cited that there is no harm in being alarmed of the probability that there may arise another dry winter.

South East Water and Veolia Water customers need to be prepared beforehand as there seems to be no chance of the company to relax their hosepipe bans – as far as possibility of dry autumn and winters is concerned.  

Stating that the groundwater levels were still below the required levels, the four companies where bans are still in place, have assured that they would try their best to keep the water restrictions under review. The water firms have guaranteed their customers that they will continue to observe the situation in order to provide the best they can. 

For the time being, southern England and Wales are the parts that have received heaviest of the rains. The areas have been issued with four flood warnings and over a dozen flood alerts by The Environment Agency. The warnings and alerts are not so severe that may be fatal to life and property. The warnings are in the yellow state, an indication for the citizens to "be aware".