Map shows where in the UK has a hosepipe ban – is your area affected?
With the current hot spell set to continue across the UK, it’s no surprise that our water consumption may be on the up – with record levels of demand being reported in some parts of the country.
However, the heatwave and subsequent demand have meant that millions of people are set to face hosepipe bans in some parts of the UK this summer.
A hosepipe ban is a temporary ban on using a hosepipe and is put in place by water companies when there is high demand and low supply.
The bans will mean that those affected will be unable to use hosepipes or sprinklers to water their gardens, wash their cars, patios and boats, and fill up swimming and paddling pools.
But where in the UK are there current bans – and where are the new bans set to be enforced?
Find out with our map…
Where in the UK is there a hosepipe ban?
South West Water is currently the only water provider that has a ban in place, affecting Cornwall, parts of Devon, East Sussex, and areas of Kent.
You can use their postcode checker to see whether you are affected by this.
Meanwhile, homes across Kent and Sussex will soon face restrictions on their water supply due to record levels of demand.
South East Water, which has 2.2 million customers, said it had ‘no choice’ but to introduce a hose pipe and sprinkler ban, which will come into force from Monday, June 26.
The ban will not affect their customers in Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey.
‘We’re sorry to our customers that have water supply issues.
‘We’re continuing to try and build up our treated water levels by introducing a hosepipe ban in Kent and Sussex.
‘Despite asking for customers help to use water for essential uses only, regrettably we’ve now been left with no choice.’
The company said it made the decision following a period of ‘prolonged dry weather’ and having to produce an extra 120 million litres of water every day, equivalent to the water supply for four towns the size of Maidstone in Kent, or Eastbourne in East Sussex.
What are the rules?
The rules of the ban are as follows
According to South-West Water, under a ban, you cannot use a hosepipe (including sprinklers, dipper hoses, automatic irrigation systems and other similar devices) for the following activities:
- Watering a garden or allotment
- Cleaning a private motor vehicle or taxi
- Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises
- Cleaning a private leisure boat
- Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool
- Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use, including hot tubs
- Filling or maintaining a domestic pond (unless it has fish in it)
- Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain (unless its purpose is to keep fish healthy)
- Cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises
- Cleaning paths or patios
- Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces
The above activities can still be carried out with mains water as long as a bucket or watering can is used instead.
If you do something that isn’t allowed and get caught, you could face a fine of up to £1,000 – though you could get lucky and receive a written warning instead.
Keep in mind, as well, that there are some exemptions to the ban that might apply to you – you can see a list of those here.
MORE : Hosepipe ban: What you can and can’t do under the water rules
MORE : When will the heatwave end? Forecasted end date for June hot weather
MORE : Why is there no water in my area? Taps run dry from Kent to Birmingham
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