A resident in Braintree, Essex, has criticised Anglian Water for enforcing a hosepipe ban while leaving a water leak she reported weeks ago unrepaired. Linda Kirby, who works nearby, said the ongoing waste made her "very annoyed" while customers are simultaneously being asked to restrict their own water use amid a drought, and other local residents have voiced similar frustration at the company.

Kirby first reported the leak, which trickles down Church Lane and pools near Chantry Close, back in June, and says it has grown from a small trickle into a larger puddle over the following weeks. A neighbouring resident said the leak had persisted for two to three months without action, creating a hazard for passing cars. Anglian Water, which introduced its first hosepipe ban since 1997 on 31 July, said hot, dry weather causes ground movement that increases bursts and leaks, and that it is prioritising repairs with the greatest impact on customers' supplies while thanking customers for their patience.