Record-breaking heat drove more than 1 billion litres of extra water demand across the South East and London over the bank holiday weekend.
Thames water says usage peaked on the Monday as temperatures reached their highest point.
The Met Office has confirmed the hottest May temperatures on record with 35.1°C recorded at Kew Gardens, as an exceptional early heatwave led to a sharp rise in water use across Thames Water’s region.
In some areas, Thames Water says, household water use increased by up to 50 per cent in homes with gardens.
Demand rose sharply across the weekend, with the biggest spike on Monday.
Thames Water says it is investing in the biggest upgrade to its network in 150 years, replacing and strengthening pipes and infrastructure to reduce leaks and improve resilience.
At the same time, its teams are working to keep supplies flowing today, fixing hundreds of leaks every week, monitoring the network 24/7 and moving water to where it is needed most.
The company is calling on members of the public to avoid wasting water.
The biggest impact during heatwaves comes from reducing outdoor water use at peak times. Customers are encouraged to:
- Swap hoses and sprinklers for a watering can
-Avoid watering during the day and let lawns go golden
- Keep a bowl or jug in your sink to catch water to reuse on plants
- Use a bucket instead of a hose for tasks like car washing
Small changes across millions of homes, Thames Water says, can significantly reduce pressure on supplies during hot weather.
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