Thames Water said the recent wet weather, including above average rainfall, together with “customer support” allowed it to remove its Temporary Use Ban which came into effect on 24 August.

Households were banned from using hosepipes to water gardens, wash cars and windows, or fill paddling pools after July was the driest such month since 1885 – and also the hottest – with the mercury reaching 40.3 degrees Celsius.

However, September and October saw average rainfall rise, while in the first two weeks of November, there has already been a months’ worth of rain.

Thames Water said storage levels “are improving at many reservoirs across the region”, but added that “we’re not out of the woods yet”.

Sarah Bentley, Thames Water CEO, said: “We are grateful to our customers for their support in saving water during the hosepipe ban. Small changes can make a huge difference when it comes to preserving water and we’re thankful to all our customers for their efforts.

“Careful consideration has gone into our decision to remove the ban. Despite the recent rain, we still need to protect our future water supply. We need more rain throughout winter to ensure our rivers and reservoirs are fully recharged, ready for spring and summer next year.”

Bentley added that Thames Water is “adopting a cautious approach and carefully monitoring water levels throughout autumn and winter”.

She said: “It’s also why fixing leaks remains our top priority. We’re investing millions to upgrade infrastructure across the region. This supports my Turnaround plan, which aims to transform Thames Water’s performance, improving the service our customers receive and protecting the environment.”

One leak fixed every 10 minutes

Bentley revealed Thames Water fixes over 1,000 leaks a week – that’s one every 10 minutes. While the ban has been lifted, it urges households to continue to use less water at home.

It suggests taking shorter showers and fully loading washing machines to help save water and money on energy bills.

In July, YourMoney.com exclusively revealed how Thames Water had pulled the plug on water saving freebies. Our article explains how and where you can find water saving devices to help cut your water use and save money.