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With record-breaking heatwaves sweeping across the UK this summer and minimal rainfall, we're seeing more hosepipe bans in place as the pressure on our water usage increases across the country. Many of us and our gardens around the country are feeling the heat. More than three quarters of England is now officially in drought after we saw the driest July since records began in 1836. This exceptional heat and lack of rain has led to a fifth of our rivers' water levels running exceptionally low. Case in point the River Test in Hampshire, which has lost a third of its water.
To manage the demand with more limited water resources, water companies have announced temporary restrictions around water usage in many areas. More than 27 million of us are now affected, according to the BBC. But what does a hosepipe ban actually mean? And what are the exemptions?
Is there a hosepipe ban in my area?
Many parts of central, southern, and eastern England, as well as parts of Wales have some form of hosepipe ban in place. You'll need to check with your local water supplier to know for sure. To find out whether you're in a hosepipe ban area, you can search your postcode on Water.org.uk.
What is a hosepipe ban?
Many hosepipe bans, also known as Temporary Use Ban, came into place from July with a few more coming in as water levels struggle in the continued summer heat. You'll want to check with your specific water provider on the particular rules in your area, but generally you cannot use a hosepipe, sprinklers, irrigation systems and pressure washers for anything including:
- Watering gardens or plants.
- Filling paddling pools or hot tubs.
- Cleaning cars, buildings, patios, or decking.
Water can still be used as normal for drinking, washing and cooking. Buckets and watering cans are also generally allowed, and there are a few exemptions. Whether you're in a hosepipe ban zone or not, it can't hurt to be a little more mindful on your water usage this summer.
Check with your local water company for specific rules:
- Affinity Water
- Anglian Water
- Cambridge Water
- Essex and Suffolk Water
- Southern Water
- South East Water
- South West Water
Who is exempt from a hosepipe ban?
Each water company has slightly different exemption rules. For South West Water's exemption list, the hosepipe ban does not apply if:
- You are on the Priority Services Register and unable to make reasonable adjustments due to a health condition or disability
- You are a Blue Badge holder
- You need to protect human health and safety
- You need the water for animal welfare, including pets, livestock and fish
Read each water company's specifics on exemptions.
Garden and plant exemptions
Water and its management are currently hot topics in the world of garden design and horticulture. Many garden designers are pivoting to methods that make gardens more resilient to extreme temperatures. Just look at The Newt's drought-tolerant garden at last year's Chelsea Flower Show, which caused quite a stir.
As a general rule, you're only allowed to use buckets and watering cans to water plants during a hosepipe ban but there are some more exceptions worth knowing:
- Trees, hedges and saplings planted within the last planting season where a watering can isn't a practical option.
- Food crops grown at home or on private allotments where a watering can isn't a practical option.
- Newly laid turf for the first 28 days after it has been laid, where this cannot be reasonably done by watering can.
- Newly sown grass seed for the first 28 days after it has been laid, where this cannot be reasonably done by watering can.
- Drip or trickle irrigation systems fitted with a timer and pressure-reducing valve that deliver water directly to the soil.
- Sports pitches and recreational playing surfaces when watering is necessary and takes place outside peak hours (8am–10am and 5pm–9pm).
- Commercially grown crops, fruit, vegetables and plants that are grown for sale.
- National Plant Collections.
- Temporary public flower or garden displays.
- Drip or trickle irrigation systems fitted with a timer and pressure-reducing valve that deliver water directly to the soil.
- Watering cans and fixed watering systems that do not use a hosepipe.
Pools and hot tubs
You must not use a hosepipe to fill or top up items used for leisure and recreation at home, including paddling pools, inflatable pools and hot tubs but you can still use a hosepipe if:
- You're filling a newly built or newly refurbished permanent structure for the first time after construction or major refurbishment.
- Once it has been filled, you must not use a hosepipe to top it up or refill it during the temporary use ban.
- The restriction does not apply to filling water tanks in caravans or motorhomes for essential washing, cooking and sanitation.
