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Paddling pools and sprinklers are going to be off the cards for millions of homeowners across England this summer, after several water companies imposed a hosepipe ban – most recently Thames Water, with restrictions for more than 10 million customers.
At the time of writing, customers of Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, South East Water, Southern Water and South West Water are also affected by bans. In some cases, only certain areas being served by these companies are affected.
If you’re tempted to ignore the ban, be aware that you’ll technically be breaking the law.
Gary Rycroft, consumer law expert and The Telegraph’s Ask a Lawyer columnist, says: “Hosepipe bans are legally enforceable in that water companies have statutory powers under the Water Industry Act 1991 and Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to impose fines on anyone acting in violation of a ban.”
If you’re caught breaking the rules, it could cost you.
However, there are exemptions – more than you might think – and if just one of them applies to you, you can continue using your hosepipe or sprinkler as normal.
Here, Telegraph Money explains everything you need to know:
- Which companies are banning the use of hosepipes?
- What does a hosepipe ban mean?
- How much could you be fined?
- Who is exempt from hosepipe bans?
Which companies are banning the use of hosepipes?
South East Water was the first to kick off hosepipe bans this month, announcing restrictions for its customers in Kent on July 3. It was followed by Cambridge Water on July 9.
Affinity Water introduced a hosepipe ban on July 10, covering what it calls its “central region” including parts of Essex, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey, while large areas across the east of the country supplied by Anglian Water have been subject to a ban since July 11.
If you live in Hampshire or the Isle of Wight, Southern Water imposed a ban on July 10, while those in Mid Devon and parts of East Devon were affected by South West Water’s ban, which kicked in on July 14.
Thames Water announced a ban starting today (July 22) for all of its customers.
The bans follow several months of exceptionally hot and dry weather, with three heatwaves across the UK in May, June and July. Temperatures in June reached 37.7C, putting extra pressure on Britain’s water supplies.
What does a hosepipe ban mean?
“Temporary use bans” – the hosepipe ban’s official moniker – don’t limit the amount of water you can use, but rather how you use it.
It means you can’t use your hosepipe to water your garden, wash the car or fill up a paddling pool. It also rules out pressure washers and sprinklers, too – whether you want to keep the lawn green or the kids cool during the long summer holidays.
But it doesn’t mean you have to watch all your plants die. You can still use water outside, but you’ll have to do it the long, slow way and fill up a bucket or watering can.
The idea is that the ban encourages us to think about our water use and preserve water supplies, ensuring they can last throughout the rest of the dry weather.
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How much could you be fined?
The maximum fine if you’re caught breaking the rules is £1,000, which can be enforced by your water company. According to Yorkshire Water, the money is paid to the Treasury and not kept by the water company.
Some companies are even encouraging homeowners to report their neighbours to their water company – not the police – if they catch them in the act.
Who is exempt from hosepipe bans?
Hosepipe bans are not applicable to everyone and, while water companies’ rules will vary, there are several notable exemptions:
1. Blue Badge holders
If you have a Blue Badge, or you’re registered as disabled, the hosepipe ban won’t apply to you – though some water companies may specify the purposes for which you may continue to use your hosepipe.
This is because mobility issues may mean you’d struggle to use a watering can, or you may have a pool that you need to use for therapeutic purposes. Note that this exemption only applies to the individual, not the whole household.
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2. Those on a priority services register
You could be exempt from the hosepipe ban if you’re on your water company’s priority services register, which provides additional support for some vulnerable customers.
This can include people with disabilities, physical or mental health problems and those going through traumatic experiences. If you’re not on the priority services register, but think you could be eligible to be added, you can apply to your water company.
3. You have a fish pond
If you have a pool or pond with fish or any other aquatic life, you can use your hosepipe to keep it topped up.
You can also use a hose to top up an ornamental water fountain if it’s being used to oxygenate a fish pond, or in some cases, if the fountain has religious significance. If the fountain is purely decorative, then topping it up is on the banned list.
4. You’ve just laid a new lawn
If you’ve just invested in a water-hungry new lawn, or splashed out on new plants, you may be able to continue to use your hosepipe or sprinkler to keep it alive, but some companies will stipulate that the plants are only eligible if they have been delivered by a professional business, and you’ll need to switch to a watering can after the first 28 days.
5. You’ve got young trees or saplings
You may be able to water any trees, whips, saplings or hedging with a hosepipe if they have been planted in the last three years.
6. You’re growing food or crops
If you’re growing food in either your garden or an allotment, you may also be able to swerve the ban.
However, depending on your water company, you may have to demonstrate that you can’t reasonably be expected to use a watering can to do the job. Just hosing down a small crop of cherry tomatoes probably wouldn’t cut it.
7. You’re using an irrigation system
Surprisingly, you may also be able to carry on using an irrigation system in your garden, so long as it’s not hand-held, uses a pressure-reducing valve and works on a timer.
Water must drip on to the soil and not cause any surface run-off.
8. You’re taking care of animals
If you need a trough to feed animals, you can continue to use a hosepipe to fill it. Other rules may vary between companies – for example, Affinity Water says you can use a hosepipe to provide water to and clean livestock and animals, for example filling a trough and to soak hay.
However, South East Water is a little more vague, saying a hosepipe can be used for pets or livestock where it is unavoidable for their health and safety or welfare.
9. You’re topping up the water tank on your motorhome
This is permitted, as you will probably be using the water for essential purposes such as washing, drinking and flushing the loo. You can’t, however, use a hose just to wash your caravan or camper van. Similar rules apply to leisure boats.
10. You’re getting a professional car wash
While you can’t hose down your car yourself, you can use a professional car-washing service. The exception here is if you drive a commercial vehicle, such as a taxi or a hearse – which you can continue to use a hosepipe to wash yourself.
11. You’ve just installed a swimming pool or hot tub
You can fill a newly built swimming pool during construction, and an exercise spa or hot tub that’s just been installed. You can’t, however, use a hosepipe for routine water changes or to top them up.
12. You’re having an extension
Your builders can use your hosepipe for things such as mixing cement, but not for cleaning pathways (unless there’s a risk of injury).
Before continuing to use your hosepipe during a ban, it’s important to check the exact rules with your water company first, as they do vary between suppliers. If in doubt, it’s a good idea to contact your provider and get permission first.
As Mr Rycroft says: “Never assume you are exempted from a ban and always check with your local water company before you carry on regardless.”
If your water company agrees that you’re exempt, it might be sensible to tell your neighbours too – just in case.
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