Hosepipe Ban Lifted For Isle of Wight

It's good news today (Friday) for households across the Isle of Wight — the hosepipe ban that’s been in place since July has now been lifted.

The restriction was introduced over three months ago to help protect precious chalk streams across Hampshire and the Island, including the Test and Itchen rivers, and to ensure taps continued to run during a prolonged dry spell.

Southern Water has thanked customers for their support during this time, which helped save millions of litres of water every day.

A combination of wetter weather in September and October, alongside the hard work of Southern Water’s leakage team, has made lifting the ban possible.

While the restrictions were in place, the team found and repaired around 1,700 leaks, saving more than 17 million litres of water.

The Test and Itchen rivers, which supply drinking water to most homes in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, are internationally important, home to rare wildlife and sensitive ecosystems.

Reducing the need to draw water from them during the dry summer has been crucial in protecting these natural treasures.

Tim McMahon, Southern Water’s Director of Water, said:

"We’re incredibly grateful to our customers for their support and understanding during this challenging period.

"Together, we’ve saved millions of litres of water each day and helped protect our chalk streams.

"It shows how much of a difference we can make when we work together."

Looking ahead, Southern Water is investing in a more resilient water supply for the future.

Plans include the UK’s first new reservoir in over 30 years at Havant Thicket, new water recycling projects, and a network of water transfers with neighbouring companies.