Taps could be turned off from July in rationing drive to battle droughts as temperatures rise

Households could have their water supplies interrupted for weeks on end from as early as next summer as temperatures rise, Thames Water has warned.

The country’s biggest water supplier said Britain faces widespread rationing amid ‘more frequent and severe droughts’.

It added: ‘In severe droughts, water restrictions could see us rationing water for everyday activities or turning off supplies for certain periods during the day. Restrictions like this could last for several weeks.’

Last month Thames Water lifted a hosepipe ban that had lasted 90 days. It was imposed during the summer when temperatures reached a record high of 40C (104F) in the UK. 

However, companies have drawn criticism for imposing restrictions despite major leaks. This year it was revealed that Thames Water loses nearly 600 million litres a day – around a quarter of its total supply.

The firm was criticised by regulator Ofwat last week as one of six companies which it has ‘significant concerns’ about.

Concerns have also been raised over the impact of sewage pollution on the UK’s rivers, piling pressure on suppliers to improve infrastructure. Earlier this year the Daily Telegraph found that water companies were releasing raw sewage into rivers more than 1,000 times a day.

Some firms are now offering households incentives to use less water with South West Water offering customers £30 credit.