Following the driest spring in years, three official heatwaves, record temperatures and sustained high demand,

Thames Water is introducing a Temporary Use Ban (TUB), also known as a hosepipe ban, for all customers it supplies with drinking water.

The restrictions will come into effect at 12.01am on Thursday (July 23) and mean customers in the affected areas must not use hosepipes for non-essential activities.

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This includes watering gardens, cleaning cars, filling paddling pools or topping up hot tubs.

Thames Water is asking customers to follow the usage restrictions now, ahead of the official start date.

Water use has remained exceptionally high during recent periods of record hot weather.

Demand is currently around 10 per cent above normal levels across the Thames Valley and Home Counties and 7 per cent above normal in London.

On average, customers are using an additional 100 million litres of water every day across London and the Thames Valley, the equivalent of adding all the homes in Manchester to the company’s network.

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During peak periods, water has been used faster than it can be treated and moved through parts of the network, placing additional pressure on local supplies.

The company is now implementing the next stage of its drought plan to help protect customer supplies and the environment.

Nevil Muncaster, Director of Strategic Water Resources at Thames Water, said: “We would not be taking this step unless it was necessary to protect water supplies for everyone and the environment.

 “Recent heatwaves and a very dry spring and summer have led to sustained high demand.

“While there is enough water for essential use, we need to reduce non-essential outdoor demand to keep taps flowing.

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“Many customers have already reduced their water use, and that support has made a difference.

“Thank you to everyone who has already changed their daily habits.

“Our teams are working 24/7 to keep water moving, fix leaks and support customers.

“We will keep the situation under close review and lift restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so.”

This spring, the Thames Water region received only 40 per cent of average rainfall and has experienced three periods of exceptionally hot weather.

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The hot weather is forecast to continue, while the UK has already recorded nine days where temperatures reached 34°C or above, more than in the previous record years of 1976 and 2020.

While Thames Water plans for periods of dry weather and increased summer demand, the scale and duration of recent demand is having a significant impact on water resources.

There has been no rainfall so far in July in the Thames catchment, combined with exceptionally high water use, which is stretching water resources across the region.

Under the Temporary Use Ban, customers in the affected area must not use hosepipes.

It includes not using them for watering gardens, lawns or allotments or cleaning private cars, patios, paths, driveways or windows.

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It also includes not using hoses for filling or topping up paddling pools, swimming pools or hot tubs or using sprinklers or similar equipment connected to the mains water supply.

Customers should continue to use water for essential needs such as drinking, cooking, washing and hygiene.

Buckets and watering cans can still be used, and there are exemptions, including where water use is necessary for health and safety reasons or for customers with severe mobility problems.

Further details on the Temporary Use Ban, including restrictions and exemptions, will be available in Thames Water’s legal notice and dedicated information webpage on its website.

Amid a surge in Japanese knotweed spreading rapidly across the UK, a property expert has warned that tackling the plant yourself could land you a £5k fine or imprisonment.

Jack Malnick, Managing Director of Sell House Fast, said: “Japanese knotweed is one of the UK’s most problematic weeds that can spread up to seven meters long, take up to three years to treat and can drastically reduce a property’s market value.

“Even if treated, this highly invasive plant can still deter potential buyers. It may be tempting to cut costs and remove knotweed yourself, but this could have disastrous consequences for your property value as well as impact your finances and your legal situation.”

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Mr Malnick added that homeowners should avoid DIY removal and prepare to pay up to £5k.

“It is advised not to attempt a DIY removal, due to the environmental restrictions for disposal,” he said.

“Removal costs depend on the size of the infestation, treatment method, and site access.

“The average cost of knotweed removal is between £1.5k and £2k, but a full evacuation can cost up to £20k.

“The UK average house price is currently around £270,080.

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“Estimates from Environet suggest Japanese knotweed can reduce property values by at least 5 per cent, meaning that homeowners could, at best, lose around £13,504 in value alone.

“However, with potential treatment costs of up to £10k or more for severe cases, early treatment is usually far cheaper than leaving the infestation unmanaged.

Wrong disposal could land you a £5K fine or imprisonment, as Mr Malnick added: “Improper disposal of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed is not merely reckless; it is a criminal offence.

“The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence to plant or cause Japanese knotweed to grow in the wild.

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“Offenders may face fines of up to £5k and/or six months’ imprisonment, or on indictment, up to two years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

“Government guidance says that the plant must be transported only to specially licensed landfill or incineration facilities authorised to handle hazardous invasive waste.

“Failure to do so risks not only environmental pollution but prosecution under UK law.

“If Japanese knotweed from a neighbouring property spreads onto your land, you are not liable. In fact, you may be entitled to claim damages.”

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According to a key Court of Appeal ruling, it was confirmed that landowners can be held responsible for allowing Japanese knotweed to spread.

You can also pursue compensation for loss of value and the cost of removal, and claims may still succeed even where knotweed has been present for many years.

“Start by raising the issue with your neighbour, explaining their liability and ensuring they carry out professional removal,” added Mr Malnick.

“If your neighbour is uncooperative, you can contact the council’s Japanese knotweed team or environmental services to escalate the issue.”

According to Thames Valley Police, in recent months Bampton has faced issues with unruly behaviour.

Following investigations involving CCTV and reports from residents, those involved have been issued with acceptable behaviour contracts for 12 months.

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The contracts, which are signed by both the children involved and their parents, outline a set of rules to follow in public places and serve as a warning about the potential consequences of future misbehaviour.

The contracts are not criminalising but are designed to help individuals avoid peer pressure and reflect on their actions.

The forces says they offer a chance for improvement, especially for those on the brink of criminal activity.