Bampton Hosepipe Ban from 22 July

Thames Water plc said the measure would come into place across Swindon, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire on 22 July due to a lack of rain and increasing demand, which had stretched supplies.

It bans the use of a hosepipe for activities such as watering the garden, washing the car or filling a paddling pool. People found to be using a hosepipe during a ban can be fined up to £1,000.

It comes as the Environment Agency said it had declared a state of prolonged dry weather in large parts of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Surrey.

Water for much of this area is supplied by Farmoor Reservoir. Farmoor is fed by pumping water from the River Thames. The amount of water we can pump is dependent on the amount of flow in the river. We  (Thames Water plc) must leave enough flow remaining to protect the environment and maintain navigation. The very dry and warm weather we've had means that the flow in the river is low. This therefore impacts the amount of water we can pump into Farmoor Reservoir.

The current situation at Farmoor:

Below average rainfall since March, with the driest spring in over a century. The South East is currently classified by the Environment Agency (EA) as being in a state of prolonged dry weather.

Groundwater levels in the Cotswolds Oolites are currently very low. The Oolites are the porous limestone formation/bedrock that sits beneath the Cotswolds. During a prolonged dry period, flow in the River Thames upstream of Farmoor is entirely sourced from this aquifer.

Reduction in groundwater contribution to the River Thames, in combination with no rainfall. This means we are at high risk of rapidly drawing down reservoir storage. Should the dry weather continue, this would pose a significant challenge.

More information from Thames Water plc