Yorkshire Water imposes hosepipe ban amid severe drought
- Yorkshire Water has implemented a hosepipe ban starting from July 11, 2025, due to the region's very low water levels.
- The ban restricts the use of hosepipes for activities such as watering gardens and washing vehicles amidst ongoing drought conditions.
- Failure to adhere to the restrictions could lead to fines, but the utility company hopes customers will cooperate to avoid enforcement.
In the UK, specifically Yorkshire, water supplier Yorkshire Water imposed a hosepipe ban starting Friday, July 11, 2025, as the region faced extremely dry conditions. This decision followed the announcement of drought status by the Environment Agency on June 12, 2025, marking the driest spring in the region on record, with only 15 centimeters of rainfall from February to June. As a result, regional reservoirs were reported to be alarmingly low, at 55.8% capacity, significantly below the usual levels for this time of year. With prolonged dry weather and potential reductions in water supply forecasted, action was deemed essential to conserve water resources and support the environment. Customers are urged to comply with these restrictions or face fines of up to £1,000 for violations, although the water company hopes to avoid such measures by promoting conservation efforts. The ban will remain until significant rainfall replenishes the reservoirs and groundwater levels, potentially extending into the winter months.