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17 August 2026

Wessex Water release: Hosepipe ban introduced amid unprecedented dry weather and drought conditions

Wessex Water has today (17 August) announced a hosepipe ban after months of unprecedented dry weather, heatwaves and a continued lack of rain forecast, which has led to sustained high demand for water.

The company – which supplies 1.4 million customers in areas including Bath, and parts of Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire – has taken the decision after more than 40 days of demand for water remaining at record-breaking levels and the region formally declared as being in drought.

It means that from tomorrow (00:01 hrs Tuesday 18 August) household customers must not use a hosepipe for activities such as watering gardens, washing cars, patios, paths and driveways, cleaning windows or filling swimming and paddling pools.

The ban marks the first time in 50 years that Wessex Water has introduced restrictions on water use, the last time being the famous drought of 1976.

Wessex Water Chief Executive Ruth Jefferson said the decision to put a ban in place comes from a combination of increased demand for water during the ongoing dry weather and longer-term forecasts meaning water resources must be protected for both customers and the environment.

The firm’s repair teams have been fixing more leaks than ever this summer across its supply area, prioritising those that are wasting the most water. In the last month alone, find and fix rates for leaks have increased by more than a third.

Leakage has reduced by 60% in the last 30 years in the Wessex Water region and between 2010 and 2018 the company invested in a £230 million water supply grid, allowing it to move water quickly around the network to areas of need.

Mrs Jefferson said: “After 50 years without a hosepipe ban in the Wessex Water region – the first since the famous drought of 1976 – this isn’t a decision we’ve made lightly and we’re sorry for the inconvenience it will cause.

“We know so many of our customers have already been taking steps to save water and we’re incredibly grateful for their support so far this summer. It makes such a difference.

“But the prolonged and extreme dry weather has meant demand across our region has consistently remained at more than 400 million litres per day, 30 per cent above average for this time of year and the equivalent of almost half a million hosepipes running for a full hour every day.

“While we’re not running out of water for essential use, our challenge has been moving water through the network quickly enough to meet these record levels of demand. This also has an impact on our underground storage reservoirs, which normally replenish with treated water quickly.”

Wessex Water is contacting larger business customers who are high water users to encourage them to avoid non-essential use.

It is also continuing to encourage households to make small and simple changes during the ongoing dry spell to ensure water supplies and the environment are protected. These include:

§ Letting the lawn go brown – it will recover when the rain comes. 

§ Using a watering can to water plants.

§ Reusing washing up water for patio pots and moving pots into the shade so they dry out less.

§ Filling up paddling pools using buckets or watering cans and covering them when not in use to prevent evaporation.

§ Keeping showers short and not leaving taps running while brushing teeth or doing the dishes.

§ Not washing the car – be proud of having a dirty car, just keep the windscreen and number plate clean.

More information on the restrictions covered by the hosepipe ban and any exemptions can be found on Wessex Water’s website.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

What does the temporary use ban mean? A hosepipe ban, also known as a Temporary Use Ban (TUB), restricts the use of hosepipes for certain non-essential activities to help conserve water during periods of prolonged dry weather. The hosepipe ban starts on Tuesday 18 August from 00:01 hrs. From this point, customers must not use a hosepipe for activities covered by the restrictions.

What can customers no longer use a hosepipe for?

· Watering gardens, lawns, flowers and plants.

· Filling or maintaining paddling pools and swimming pools.

· Washing private vehicles.

· Cleaning patios, paths, driveways, walls and windows.

· Filling ornamental ponds or fountains.

· Cleaning outdoor surfaces. · A full list of restrictions can be found on our website.

Are there any exemptions? Some customers may be exempt from the ban if they are unable to make reasonable adjustments due to a health condition or disability. Using a hosepipe for health and safety needs, animal welfare and some business services and activities are also excluded from the restrictions. A full list of exemptions can be found on our website.

What Wessex Water has done to avoid a hosepipe ban for 50 years

· Invested £230 million on a water supply grid between 2010 and 2018 to make sure we can move water around our region to reach areas where water is scarce, or there is high demand.

· Reduced leakage by 60% in the last 30 years, increasing the find and fix leakage rate by more than 32% in the last month alone.

· In the past three months alone, £16 million has been invested across the region in water supply assets.

Comparisons to the 1976 drought

· The weather conditions throughout the summer and the effect they have had on water supply and demand is similar to – and in some cases surpasses – those that were experienced during the famous drought of 1976.

· So far in 2026, the Wessex Water region has seen nearly 20 days with temperatures above 30°C, surpassing the previous annual record of 14 days in 1976.

· 2026 is also the first year on record in the UK where temperatures have exceeded 35°C across May, June, July and August.

· For water supply, Wessex Water’s highest daily demand in 2026 was on 11 July where 449 million litres were used.

· 2026 is 50 years since the last time Wessex Water issued a hosepipe ban during the

“Families across Dorset are being encouraged to check now whether their children will be eligible for free school meals from the September 2026 school term. This follows changes by central government. 

From this autumn, all children whose parent/carer receives any level of Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, regardless of how much their household earns. 

To prepare for the change, parents or carers will need to apply or reapply from 1 June 2026, even if their child already receives free school meals this school year.

Check if your eligible and apply on the Dorset Council website: More Dorset children could qualify for free school meals  – Dorset Council“

Giving out free, good quality, clean clothing to the local community

In Bridport:

St Swithun’s Church Hall, every Thursday 9:30-10:30 (also clothes rails can be accessed there, whenever the Church Hall is open)
BYCC Hall, Gundry Lane, first Saturday each month 12:00-12:24

In Beaminster:

Prout Bridge Community Centre, second & fourth Mondays of each month 10:00-12:00

Please donate good quality, clean clothing at any of the above sessions or Bridport Leisure Centre (crates inside front door), Mountfield Council Offices or Prout Bridge Community Centre (crate under the arch).

Please note: occasionally some of the donated clothing will be sold to raise funds to help keep the Clothes Bank operating – come see us in Bucky Doo Square on 14th March/11th July/19th September.

If tou would like to volunteer with us, sorting, packing, delivering, running stalls, collecting donations, fundraising etc please speak to us at one of the sessions above or using the details below. Thank-You!

See our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/p/Bridport-ClothesBank-100081826247756/

Email Us: BridportCB@outlook.com

Telephone: 07596 077385

Please Note – The Bridport Citizens Advice office will be closed on Wednesday 24 December to Friday 2nd January inclusive.

Keep warm this winter

Speak to our energy advisors at:

Bridport Library on Friday 28th November, DT6 3NY – between 10am – 1pm. Get Directions.

• Energy Saving Advice
• Billing & Supplier issues
• Meter Problems
• How to access additional help and support

Free winter warmer giveaways. No appointment needed.

Visit the website for further dates and locations: https://edpcitizensadvice.org.uk/get-advice/energy

Carers’ Rights Day happens every year across the UK. In 2025 it is on the 20th of November.
The aim is simple, to make sure you know your rights as a carer and can use them
with confidence.

View full article leaflet

Housing and Accommodation

• Initially students tend to opt for accommodation located in or near the university. This is called Halls of residence. A deposit is paid for this accommodation to secure against damage. Typically, this accommodation would provide individual single rooms with a shared kitchen and living area.
• Most universities also offer alternative accommodation such as houses and flats on behalf of a private landlord.
• Other bills are usually contained within the accommodation prices.
• Universities as landlords have the power of discipline unlike private landlords if a negative behaviour is taken place.
• Most students in the halls of residence have a fixed term agreement which finishes at the end of the academic year. This means that students typically move out of their accommodation the day their fixed term agreement runs out.

Finance

• You can check whether you are eligible for student finance on GOV.UK.
• You can apply for student finance online by setting up an account and completing the application.
• You usually only start repaying once you earn a certain amount and have left university. Similarly, your monthly payments can change and correlate with how much you earn.
• Your payments will stop if you earn below a certain amount or stop working.
• If you’re living in a household where everyone is a full-time student, there will be no Council Tax payments. However, if there is someone who is not a full-time student Council Tax must be paid but the household may qualify for a discount.
• You cannot usually claim universal credit if you are a full-time student. You can find out more information on whether you may be eligible on GOV.UK.
• Bursaries are offered by universities and colleges to help with living costs in low-income households. This money does not need to be paid back.
• Grants are offered by charities or trusts to help with specific purposes like studying abroad in low-income families or particular groups. This money does not need to be paid back.
• Scholarships are offered by universities and colleges to support talent and help with living costs and tuition fees. This money does not need to be paid back.
• Tuition fees normally cover things like lectures, seminars, admin costs, access to facilities, union memberships, essential trips, services and the graduation ceremony. If you are a full-time student, you can get up to £9,535 and if you’re studying an accelerated degree course you can get up to £11,440. However, this money has to be paid back.
• A maintenance loan helps cover living costs when studying at university. It is paid directly into your bank account at the start of each term. This money must also be paid back. To find out more visit UCAS or GOV.UK

Student Debt

• You will need to pay back your tuition fee loans, maintenance loans for living costs and your postgraduate loans. You can also make extra payments through your online account, by bank transfer or by cheque if preferred.
• There are 5 different repayment plans which correlate with when you start repaying and how much. These are presented on GOV.UK.

Budgeting

• If you’re struggling with money spending, you can use a budget planner which demonstrates how much you’re earning and spending and how you can cut costs. See the Money Helper website for a useful budget planner.
• You could also consider ‘ring-fencing’ and creating a barrier for some of your maintenance loan and then sending yourself a pre-set amount each week.
• Make sure you share your true financial situations with your university as they can see if you’re eligible for extra financial support.
• Another way to save money is to sign up for loyalty cards in shops which allows you to get money off certain items.
• You can use university facilities such as the gym to save your weekly budget.
• The National Union of Students offer a TOTUM card that allows you to save money on food, drink and general shopping as well as receiving discounted travel.
• Some universities also offer a budgeting service. You will have to contact your specific university to find out more.

Health Services

• Most universities health centres include psychiatrists, physiotherapists, counsellors and psychotherapists.
• You will need to register with a GP for emergency care which can be done in person or on GP online services which are easily accessible 24/7. This is also beneficial as students have access to their records and can take them anywhere.
• You will have to separately register for a local dentist.
• Students going to university or college for the first time are eligible for the vaccination of meningitis. They are also recommended to have MenACWY, MMR and HPV vaccinations.

Mental Health

• Most universities bring awareness to mental health and provide events which brings recognition and support.
• Universities also offer a wellbeing team which can be used for a wide variety of problems such as wanting general support or dealing with a specific mental health condition.
• If you are wanting further support at university, you could try contacting online services such as Shout or Student Minds.
• Shout is a free text message service which runs 24/7 for anyone who needs immediate support. You can get help by texting ‘SHOUT’ to 85258.
• Student minds is a charitable organisation who work with students to make decisions that impact them and their university life.
• If you are needing more specific support visit Applying To University With Individual Needs | UCAS.

Course Choices

• When changing university course, you will have to make sure that there are available spaces on the course and that you meet the UCAS entry requirements.
• When changing course, you usually will not have to fill out the application form, but you will have to check with your specific university that it is okay.
• For further information you can visit the UCAS website Changing or leaving your course | UCAS or contact your university.

Amy
Student work experience placement at Bridport and District Citizens Advice, July 2025

Know your rights when returning faulty disability aids

If the product is faulty you have rights, regardless of whether the product is bespoke, or how it was purchased.

If the product is second hand from a trader (a business who sells disability aids), you still have the same rights you would have if you bought something new.

If you’ve incurred extra expenses because the product isn’t working, you might be entitled to something over and above the cost of the item. Especially is it’s something that you use regularly to go about your daily life and you can’t manage without it.

Find out more at citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer

The care sector, and those who work within it, is under increasing pressure. Citizens Advice offices across Dorset have come together to share our concerns.

Read full bulletin from Dorset Citizens Advice