Merton’s main water suppliers Thames Water and Sutton and East Surrey Water have announced a hosepipe ban on households from Thursday 5 April.

Called a ‘Temporary Use Ban’, the water companies’ announcement comes after the region has experienced two unusually dry winters in a row.

The ban will affect the council’s highways and park teams in their maintenance of green spaces, sports pitches and roadside verges as under the new legislation a ‘garden’ now includes parks and gardens open to the public.

Cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration, Councillor Andrew Judge said: “We are asking our residents to respect the ban and to use water wisely. We would also appreciate their understanding that our parks and green spaces may not look as lush and green as they usually do, as our parks staff will have also have to work under these restrictions.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

For more information on the terms, definition and exemptions of the Temporary Use Ban visit:

Thames Water webpage

http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/15443.htm

or

Sutton and East Water webpage

http://www.waterplc.com/pages/news/hosepipe-ban-and-drought-information/