South East Water extends a hosepipe ban to cover additional areas after river levels decline, according to multiple UK outlets. The company’s updated restrictions broaden coverage to parts of Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. Reporting across Sky News, BBC and ITV News Meridian says the move affects roughly 2.4 million people, as the hot weather continues and water supplies are managed more tightly.
The BBC and other sources describe the ban as an extension of existing restrictions rather than an entirely new measure. Sky News adds that South East Water links the decision to a decline in river levels. Other outlets summarise the same development as a wider drought-management step implemented by the utility to help reduce demand and protect supplies.
Across the reports, the main common points are the increased geographic coverage, the scale of people affected, and the stated reasons that the ban is brought in or extended due to lower river levels and ongoing conditions affecting water availability. The reports do not describe changes to the basic nature of restrictions beyond their wider application.
