History. 1 of 5: Sutton and East Surrey Water in 2006, about 60 days after the request; three withdrawn, one still waiting.
Hunch. Wimbleball Reservoir is lower than in the 2022 drought, and the Environment Agency says its own permit alone will not be enough.
The ban market resolves on the GOV.UK weekly drought reports and any Defra announcement up to 6 December 2026: YES if the minister has made an order banning non-essential water use for South West Water, and NO if the request is withdrawn, refused or still waiting. BBC News and The Guardian confirm it.
We looked for cases where a water company in England asked the government for a ban on non-essential water use. We found five such requests since 2006 with a date on an open page. Ministers agreed to one, companies withdrew three, and one is still waiting.