How can I water my garden in a hosepipe ban and will there be drought this summer?

Millions of people in southern England and parts of Wales face restrictions after prolonged periods of hot weather

Millions of people across southern England are subject to hosepipe bans after prolonged periods of https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/15/uk-climate-extreme-weather-2025-hottest-year-on-record">extreme heat and reduced rainfall.

On Tuesday, https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jul/21/thames-water-investors-golden-share-nationalisation-andy-burnham">Thames Water – Britain’s biggest water company – announced a ban starting on Thursday.

Here the Guardian answers questions about what the restriction means for you.