South East Water will impose a temporary hosepipe and sprinkler ban across Kent and Sussex from 18 July, restricting garden watering, car washing and the filling of paddling pools for more than 1.4 million residents. Violations could lead to fines of up to £1,000 under UK water regulations. The utility said demand for drinking water has soared since May’s prolonged warm, dry spell, hitting a record 680 million litres on 30 June—around 105 million litres above the summer average. Chief Executive David Hinton said the measure is part of the company’s drought-mitigation plan and will remain under review as weather conditions evolve. The announcement comes as the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency issued amber heat alerts for much of southern England, warning of temperatures nearing 32 °C and potential pressure on health and social-care services. The region is also emerging from the UK’s driest spring since 1893, adding to concerns over water availability.