Responding to Thames Water's announcement yesterday that it will lift water restrictions tomorrow following an extraordinary amount of rain over the last few months, Murad Qureshi AM, Chair of the London Assembly Health and Environment Committee said: "While we welcome Thames Water’s announcement about lifting the ‘hosepipe ban’, the prospect of another dry winter is a very real threat, and long-term strategies for dealing with water shortages need to be put in place.

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"We heard from London's major water companies about some of the options they could make more use of, like transferring water from wetter areas, stopping leaks and using recycled water.

"Another issue is that some Londoners may not realise they are still bound by hosepipe restrictions because Veolia Water Central and Sutton & East Surrey Water, which supply parts of outer west, north-west and outer south London, have not yet lifted their bans. This could mean that people in one street can water their gardens, while their neighbours could be fined if they do so.

"Nevertheless, the overriding message is that although restrictions have been eased, all Londoners need to continue using water wisely to alleviate any shortages in the future."