Cambridge Water has confirmed there will be a temporary hosepipe ban put in place for its 350,000 customers.
It is the first time in three decades the company has introduced the restriction.
The water provider has encouraged residents across Cambridgeshire to only use for “essential purposes at this time”.
Temperatures are set to exceed 30C across the UK, while some areas in England could hit 36C
In a notice on Thursday afternoon, a Cambridge Water spokesman said: “We really need your help. Please only use water for essential purposes at this time.
“For the first time in more than 30 years, we have taken the difficult decision to introduce a temporary hosepipe ban across our Cambridge region.
“Following one of the driest springs in recent years and exceptionally warm weather throughout the summer so far, demand for water across the region has risen to record levels.”
The company said its teams are working around the clock to maintain supplies, but local water resources “are now under significant pressure”.
Cambridge Water confirmed the ban
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It added that while demand is currently high, low levels of rainfall have reduced the amount of water available to replenish local watercourses, so reducing the amount of water taken from the environment is “crucial” to protect the area’s rare chalk streams and rivers.
Temperatures exceeded 34C on Thursday, marking the the eighth day this has happened in 2026, the Met Office said.
The forecasting agency said it makes 2026 a record year for the most number of days to reach 34C or higher in a calendar year.
It beats the previous record of seven days set in both the infamous summer of 1976 and 2020.
Temperatures are continuing to rise across the UK
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The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) flagged the increasing risk of wildfires because of the dry and hot weather, advising people to avoid using disposable barbecues in open countryside, park and moorlands.
Meanwhile, Britain’s electricity grid operator issued another plea to the industry for more power generation amid the third heatwave of the year.
The National Energy System Operator (Neso) said it was forecasting a tight period for electricity margins for Thursday evening due to “extreme temperatures” in Europe.
It is the third so-called electricity margin notice issued by Neso this year, which is more typically sent during cold spells in the winter when more people are heating their homes.
Temperatures remain high across London and the South West
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Elsewhere, families, neighbours and carers are being urged to check in on people living with dementia, who can face serious risks from hot weather.
It comes after new analysis by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found that 254 of the 1,504 heat-associated deaths in England during last summer were thought to be linked to dementia, accounting for around one in six of all heat-associated deaths.
Alzheimer’s Society said the figures highlight the increased risks that hot weather can pose for people living with dementia, who may be less able to recognise when they are thirsty, dehydrated or overheating.
Angelo Makri, senior knowledge officer for wellbeing at the organisation, said: ”As temperatures rise this week, we’re urging families, friends and neighbours to check in on people living with dementia, help them stay hydrated and support them to stay cool, particularly during the hottest parts of the day.”