Yorkshire Water has become the fifth company in England and Wales to announce plans for a hosepipe and sprinkler ban as hot and dry conditions continue.

The company, which has more than five million customers, made the announcement today, with the restrictions coming into effect from 26 August.

The extremely hot weather and prolonged dry spell have left swathes of the UK parched.

The Environment Agency says eight areas are now in drought.

As well as Yorkshire Water the following companies have or will be bringing in restrictions:

As the restrictions mean that people must not use a hosepipe that is connected to the mains water supply these bans also include sprinklers

Those who flout the bans could face prosecution and fines of up to £1,000.

According to the trade body, Water UK, in simple terms the hosepipe bans (which are also referred to as Temporary Use Bans) mean people cannot use a hosepipe “or equivalent” device for domestic purposes which include:

However, it advises checking with your relevant water provider to check their specific details.

Wales Water, South East Water and Southern Water confirmed to i that watering cans are allowed.

Yorkshire Water said: “Customers can still carry out these activities if they use water from a bucket or watering can; or use water that is not sourced from the mains such as grey water, rainwater from a water butt through a hosepipe, or private boreholes for example.”

A Thames Water spokesperson told i: “All details of the Temporary Use Ban will be confirmed at a later date.”

There are some exemptions for those with “specific circumstances”.

A hosepipe is allowed when it is needed for “unavoidable” health and safety reasons – washing pets (as long as water is used sparingly), using a hose to clean out wheelie bins and washing carpets. There are some other specific circumstances depending on the area you live in:

Water UK says the restrictions will be in place “for as long as they are needed in a specific region”. This will depend on the local conditions.

It adds that companies will be constantly monitoring their storage and demand level as well as “how the environment is faring” and what weather is forecast. All of these factors will inform when they decide to lift the restrictions.

Customers will be informed if things change.

However, i has reported that they could last well into Autumn.

The maximum fine for anyone who ignores the rules is £1,000.

If current restrictions fail to combat drought utility firms could push for further restrictions by banning non-essential water use. The next level response – a Non-Essential Use Ban – is only imposed in a case of severe drought and is rare. It would only be deployed once every 20 years on average. This would largely affect businesses that use water in the following ways:

An amber warning for extreme heat is in place for much of the southern half of England as well as parts of eastern Wales until Sunday.

The Met Office said the heat, which has been building over the week, will peak over the weekend.

“Although we will see the mid-30s Celsius, especially within the warning area, temperatures are not expected to be as extreme as those experienced in July when new national records were set.”

However, rain could be on the horizon.

Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: “Temperatures will drop early next week as the weather becomes more changeable. Heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely in some areas, but there is low confidence in the details at this time and it is impossible to say yet exactly where and when they will occur”.

Another dry and hot day on the cards Friday as the #heatwave continues 🌡️ We have all the details in the #4cast 👇 pic.twitter.com/0KxZPmUXHP

There is also a heat health alert in place from the UK Health Security Agency, with experts advising people to look out for those who are older or with existing health conditions, as well as young children.

With temps forecast to get warmer this week, we've issued a heat-health alert for all regions in England. We want everyone to enjoy the warm weather safely, so it's important to ensure that people who are more vulnerable are prepared for the hot weather. #WeatherReady ☀

The National Drought Group, made up of Government and agency officials, water companies and other groups such as the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), met today to discuss the prolonged dry weather.

Eight areas are now in drought, the Environment Agency said.

Daily water usage for England and Wales was 14 billion litres (three billion gallons) in 2018.

However, according to a National Audit Office report in 2020 three billion litres of water were lost every day through leakage.

It comes as water company bosses have awarded themselves almost £27m in bonuses over the past two years,

The Liberal Democrats’ rural affairs spokesperson Tim Farron MP told The Independent: “It is outrageous that whilst millions of people suffer from hosepipe bans, water company execs reward themselves with these bonuses despite not even bothering to fix leaks.

“It begs the question, what on earth have they done to deserve these bonuses?

“These are the very same execs who let their companies pump raw sewage into our rivers.”

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