Thames Water has announced a hosepipe ban affecting 10.1 million customers after an "exceptionally warm and dry spring". Nevil Muncaster, director of strategic water resources, said: "We would not be taking this step unless it was necessary to protect water supplies for everyone and the environment." The ban applies to all customers that Thames Water supplies with drinking water and comes into effect on Thursday. The company provides water to customers across parts of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Surrey, the Thames Valley, Greater London, and the surrounding areas, external. It provides water and wastewater services to 16 million customers overall.