A HOSEPIPE ban came into force across Kent and Sussex on June 26, 2023.
The ban was said to be because of a record demand for drinking water due to the high numbers of people working from home.
What is a hosepipe ban?
In times of "serious shortage", water companies can set restrictions on how households use water.
In most cases, shortages are due to a below average amount of rainfall, known as a drought.
A drought is a sustained period of low rainfall which can cause reservoirs to run dry.
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These bans prohibit people from using hoses for various purposes outside, and people are asked to be mindful of how much water they're using while they are in force.
They're no longer called hosepipe bans by water companies themselves, and were replaced in 2010 by temporary use bans (Tubs).
How do I check if my area is affected by the hosepipe ban?
You can check whether your area is under a hosepipe ban by going online.
South East Water introduced a hosepipe ban for customers in Kent and Sussex on June 26, 2023, due to the "demand for drinking water" being at "record levels", with more information found on their website.
South West Water also has a ban in place with restrictions across Cornwall and parts of Devon.
Their website states that reservoir levels remain lower than expected for this time of year.
For those unsure which postcode they are in, you can find more information available on water.org.uk.
These are all the water companies operating in the UK according to Hosepipeban.org.uk:
- Anglian Water
- Bournemouth & West Hampshire Water
- Bristol Water
- Cambridge Water
- Cholderton & District Water
- Dee Valley Water
- Dwr Cymru (Welsh Water)
- Essex & Suffolk Water
- Folkestone & Dover Water
- Mid Kent Water
- Northern Ireland Water
- Northumbrian Water
- Portsmouth Water
- Scottish Water
- Severn Trent Water
- South Staffordshire Water
- Southern Water
- Sutton and East Surrey Water
- Tendring Hundred Water
- Thames Water
- Three Valleys Water
- United Utilities Water
- Wessex Water
- Yorkshire Water
What are the rules during a hosepipe ban?
Temporary bans can make it illegal to water gardens or wash your car with a hosepipe.
They can also prohibit people from filling ponds, pools, and fountains from the mains supply, as well as cleaning windows, paths and decking using a hosepipe.
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However, gardeners can still water the plants using a watering can.
While bans are in effect, consumers are also urged to be considerate with their water usage.
People are asked to have showers rather than baths and to make sure they don't leave taps running while shaving or brushing their teeth.
Utility firms are given the powers under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which extended previous laws.
They can limit any or all of the activities, all the time or at set times of the day, for as long as they think necessary.
Anyone found guilty of breaking a ban can be prosecuted in a criminal court and fined up to £1,000.
Have there been hosepipe bans before?
Yes, a hosepipe ban was in place in 2022 which affected multiple areas across the UK.
In 2018, a hosepipe ban that affected millions in the North West of England was called off after a deluge of rain at the last minute.
Water supplier United Utilities had planned the ban for seven million households from August 5, 2018.
But a sudden downpour at the end of the month prevented the ban at the eleventh hour.
In 2012 seven firms including Southern, Anglian, South East, and Thames Water introduced a ban after one of the driest two-year periods on record.
