Temporary Use Ban

Hosepipe restrictions

Hosepipe restrictions (Temporary Use Ban)

For the first time since 1997, we are introducing a Temporary Use Ban, also known as a hosepipe ban, across our supply area. 

Why is a Temporary Use Ban needed?

It comes after months of prolonged dry weather. July has seen little to no rainfall across East Anglia, with four successive heatwaves and the Environment Agency is starting to see more impact on the environment. Soils are extremely dry, affecting groundwater sources, river flows are low, and forecasts are for the hot and dry conditions to continue into August.    

 

The weather has led to an increased demand for water from customers as they try to stay cool and hydrated. Customers are using an average of an extra 29 million litres of water per day, that’s the equivalent of adding an extra Chelmsford onto our existing supply area. It has also impacted reservoir levels, with Hanningfield and Abberton sitting at a combined average of 69%, which is below average for this time of year.

 

Introducing a hosepipe ban will help make sure we have enough water to continue supplying our customers and protect the environment if dry weather continues through the autumn and winter.

When does it start and does it affect me?

The temporary restrictions start immediately and will be enforced from 00:01 on Monday 3 August 2026. It applies to all household customers across our supply area. The map below shows the areas affected.

 

 

It does not apply to business customers. However, we're working closely with business retailers to help businesses reduce their water use wherever possible.

 

If you're not sure whether we supply your water, check one of your bills or use Water UK's find your supplier (opens in a new window) to search using your postcode.

What does the Temporary Use Ban mean?

A Temporary Use Ban restricts the use of a hosepipe and any attachment to a hosepipe such as a pressure washer, sprinkler, irrigation system.  

 

It is prohibited for the following purposes:

  1. Watering a garden using a hosepipe. 
  2. Cleaning a private motor vehicle (or trailer) using a hosepipe. 
  3. Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe. 
  4. Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe. 
  5. Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool. 
  6. Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use (e.g. to fill a hot tub). 
  7. Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe. 
  8. Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain. 
  9. Cleaning walls or windows of domestic premises using a hosepipe. 
  10. Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe. 
  11. Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe.  

 

You can do all the other activities, apart from numbers 5 and 8, using a bucket or watering can. You can also use collected rainwater, reused household water or water from your own supply, such as a borehole.

Are there any exceptions?

Customers who are Blue Badge holders or those with mobility issues, who are unable to use a watering can, are exempt from the hosepipe ban.

 

You do not need to apply for an exception or contact us, if an exception applies to you.

 

The following exceptions are also permitted:

Exceptions:

 

You can still use a hosepipe if:

  • it's needed for health or safety reasons
  • you're a Blue Badge holder
  • you use an approved drip or trickle irrigation system fitted with a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) and timer
  • you have reduced mobility and are unable to use a watering can, but you do not have a Blue Badge
  • you're watering newly laid turf during its first 28 days

Exceptions

 

You can still use a hosepipe if:

  • you're a Blue Badge holder
  • you're a business washing private motor vehicles where this is done as a service to customers
  • you have reduced mobility and are unable to use a watering can, but you do not have a Blue Badge

 

Please note: the restriction only applies to private motor vehicles. It does not apply to public service or goods vehicles.

Exceptions

 

You can still use a hosepipe if:

  • you're a Blue Badge holder
  • you use an approved drip or trickle irrigation system fitted with a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) and timer
  • you have reduced mobility and are unable to use a watering can, but you do not have a Blue Badge
  • you're watering newly laid turf during its first 28 days

 

Please note: these restrictions do not apply to plants grown for sale or commercial use, or those that form part of a National Plant Collection or a temporary public garden or flower display.

Exceptions

 

You can still use a hosepipe to clean a private leisure boat if:

  • it's needed for health or safety reasons
  • you're cleaning any area which, except for doors or windows, is enclosed by a roof and walls
  • you're cleaning boats as part of a business
  • the boat is your primary residence
  • cleaning is needed to reduce increased fuel consumption caused by fouling
  • the engine is designed to be cleaned with a hosepipe
  • cleaning is needed to prevent or control the spread of invasive or non-native species

Exceptions

 

You can still use a hosepipe if the pool:

  • is being built
  • is used as part of medical treatment
  • is used as part of veterinary treatment
  • is used to decontaminate animals from infection or disease
  • is used to rear or keep fish or other aquatic animals

Exceptions

 

You can still use a hosepipe if:

  • the pond contains fish or other aquatic animals
  • you're a Blue Badge holder
  • you have reduced mobility and are unable to use a watering can, but you do not have a Blue Badge

Exceptions

 

You can still use a hosepipe if:

  • the fountain supplies oxygen to a pond containing fish
  • the water feature has religious significance

Exceptions

 

You can still use a hosepipe for cleaning walls, or windows of a domestic property if:

  • it's needed for health or safety reasons
  • you're a Blue Badge holder
  • you're cleaning as part of a business
  • you have reduced mobility and are unable to use a watering can, but you do not have a Blue Badge

Exceptions

 

You can still use a hosepipe to clean paths or patios if:

  • it's needed for health or safety reasons
  • you're a Blue Badge holder
  • you're cleaning as part of a business
  • you have reduced mobility and are unable to use a watering can, but you do not have a Blue Badge

Exceptions

 

You can still use a hosepipe to clean outdoor artificial surfaces if:

  • it's needed for health or safety reasons
  • you're a Blue Badge holder
  • you're cleaning as part of a business
  • you have reduced mobility and are unable to use a watering can, but you do not have a Blue Badge

Frequently asked questions

Have questions about the hosepipe ban? We've answered the most common ones in our FAQs.

View FAQs

Legal notice

Download legal notice (238KB, PDF)

Ways you can help

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Hosepipe restrictions

 

We are introducing a Temporary Use Ban, also known as a hosepipe ban, across our supply area. 

 

Visit our Temporary Use Ban page for more information.