THOUSANDS of gardens are set to wither as the hosepipe ban takes hold this week.

But when does it start, and what does it mean for you?

A ban saw customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight hang up their hosepipes last week, with restrictions in force across large parts of Sussex in just a few days.

South East Water customers in Sussex will be stopped from using their hosepipes from 12.01am on Friday, August 12.

Some 2.2 million people are set to be affected after last month was the driest July since 1935.

A spokesman for South East Water said the use of a hosepipe or sprinkler will be restricted to "ensure we have enough water for both essential use and to protect the environment".

“The demand for water this summer has broken all previous records, including the Covid lockdown heatwave.

“This has been a time of extreme weather conditions across the UK.

“We have been producing an additional 120 million litres of water a day to supply our customers, which is the equivalent of supplying a further four towns the size of Maidstone or Eastbourne, daily.”

Southern Water supplied an average of 631 million litres of water a day to customers in July, up on its usual 540 million litre average.

The ban will see all recreational hosepipe use stamped out, including for filling paddling pools, just as temperatures in Brighton are set rocket – even reaching 32C on Friday.

Ardingly reservoir with just a small amount of water

Flouting the restriction could lead to prosecution and a court fine of up to £1,000.

Customers in Sussex supplied by Southern Water will not be under restrictions – but should still take care to reduce their water consumption.

It comes as hundreds of Brits said they would grass up their neighbours for using a hose during the ban.

Ustats.org quizzed 5,367 Brits, asking them whether they would tell on their neighbours or keep it to themselves.

It found that hundreds would snitch neighbours – or 17.23 per cent of those surveyed.

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