Thames Water has lifted its Temporary Use Ban (hosepipe ban), as of 07.00 Thursday 27 November 2025, for customers in the OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8, and RG9 postcode areas, following above-average rainfall and strong customer support in conserving water.
The ban was introduced on 22 July 2025 by Thames Water in line with its drought plan to protect customer supplies and the environment, following record-breaking dry weather in the region over the spring and the summer.
Recent rainfall, including 87mm in November (12mm above average for the period 1st-24th November, the equivalent of 116% of the long-term average rainfall for the month), and above average levels in September (68mm, 9mm above average) and October (78mm, 3mm above average in October), has helped restore groundwater levels in the region. Farmoor Reservoir is now at 90% storage, which is average for the time of year.
Nevil Muncaster, Strategic Water Resources Director at Thames Water, said:
“We would like to say a big thank you to our customers for their support in helping to protect water supplies over the past few months.
“The rain over the last few weeks has helped restore groundwater levels in the region, which were still recovering after a record-breaking summer, and allows us to now lift usage restrictions. While groundwater levels feeding the River Thames, which is the source of water for Farmoor reservoir, have recovered we will continue to monitor rainfall and groundwater levels over the coming months to make sure we are still in a good position for 2026.
“We’re encouraging all our customers to keep using water wisely over the winter months so water resources in our region continue to recharge ready for spring and summer next year.”
Leakage performance and future resilience
Thames Water says it has taken several measures to boost its water resources, including an extensive programme to reduce leaks.
Leakage is at its lowest ever level on the Thames Water network, down 13.2% since 2020.
The company is also using innovative technology and data to find and fix leaks faster. So far it has installed over 50,000 acoustic loggers on its water network to help detect leaks and expects to have 100,000 in place by mid-2027.
Over the past decade Thames Water has installed approximately 1.2 million smart meters, with the majority concentrated in London, and is now rolling out its smart meter programme across the Thames Valley. Customers with smart meters can track their water use in real time, helping them spot leaks on their own pipes and save money.
The company is aiming to install an additional 1.1 million smart meters by 2030 and up to 3 million across the entire Thames Water region by 2035.
Thames Water is also looking ahead to secure future water supplies and is currently progressing plans for a proposed reservoir in Oxfordshire, which will be crucial in securing water supply for 15 million people across the South East.