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Scottish Sun
20-07-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Hosepipe ban for millions of households from TOMORROW – how to avoid £1,000 fine
Scroll down to see if your area is affected H2O-NO! Hosepipe ban for millions of households from TOMORROW – how to avoid £1,000 fine Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HOSEPIPE ban for millions will take effect from tomorrow following the driest spring in over 100 years. Southern Water was the latest to bring in restrictions for customers following another spell of hot weather. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 A hosepipe ban for millions will take effect from tomorrow Restrictions will be brought in from 9am on July 21 across Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. But other areas serviced by Southern Water such as West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent won't be impacted. Southern Water said customers on its Priority Services Register with medical or mobility needs are also exempt from the ban. This also includes Blue Badge holders and those on a WaterSure tariff. However, the company is still urging these households to restrict their usage where possible. No end date has been confirmed for the hosepipe ban with Southern Water saying it will remove it "as soon as we can". Anyone who is affected by the ban cannot use their hosepipe for the following purposes: watering gardens filling paddling pools, hot tubs or swimming pools washing cars, patios, or windows Where else is affected? Thames Water is set to bring in a ban for households in Oxfordshire, Gloucetershire, most of Wiltshire and parts of Berkshire on Tuesday, July 22. The company is not bringing in a ban for the whole of its coverage area, just for the following postcodes: OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8 and RG9. The hot weather has parched the land and drained reservoirs across the country as UK hit with hosepipe bans Thames Water said the reason these areas have had a ban imposed is because the Farmoor Reservoir, which supplies them, has seen its water levels drop significantly. Elsewhere, Yorkshire Water brought in a ban on July 11 across the whole of Yorkshire following the driest spring on record in the area. While South East Water enforced restrictions from Friday, July 18 for households in Kent and Sussex. The water firm said demand for water had increased to the highest levels it had ever seen for this time of year, leaving its reservoir and underground water storage levels low. All three firms are yet to confirm end dates for the bans. How to avoid a £1,000 fine Anyone who doesn't follow the hosepipe ban faces a fine of up to £1,000 under the Management Act 2010. Yet there are work-arounds to the bans, with loopholes allowing people to water newly laid turf for a restricted period, typically 28 days, to establish roots and prevent it from drying out. Water companies generally acknowledge this and offer exemptions, but it's always advisable to verify the specific regulations of your local water supplier. If you're uncertain or wish to err on the side of caution, you can also use a watering can, bucket, or drip irrigation system to hydrate your turf during the ban. If you opt to use a hosepipe, aim to water during off-peak hours to reduce water consumption and evaporation. A timer can also be useful to ensure the turf is watered at the optimal time and prevent overwatering. You will likely still be able to water your plants or wash your car using a watering can or bucket too. You can also use water that is not from the mains, like grey water from baths and cooking pots or rainwater from a water butt through a hosepipe. Or you can use a hosepipe for medical reasons such as if you need to fill a pool due to a disability or illness you have. Blue badge holders are typically exempt from bans, as well as gardeners using approved drip or trickle irrigation systems fitted with pressure-reducing valves.
The Herald Scotland
17-07-2025
- Climate
- The Herald Scotland
6 rules you need to follow during Hampshire hosepipe ban
It will ban the use of a hosepipe for activities such as watering the garden, washing the car or filling a paddling pool. Southern Water has brought in the temporary use ban after the driest spring in over 100 years and the hottest June on record. The Test and Itchen chalk streams, the primary water sources for the regions, are at critically low levels, with flows down 24%. BBC News adds: "The restrictions will apply to 791,000 customers in 336,000 properties in Hampshire as well as 144,000 customers in 75,000 properties on the Isle of Wight." Hosepipe ban rules for Hampshire Southern Water customers Ahead of the hosepipe ban being implemented on Monday, you might be wondering what rules you need to follow, so you don't risk being fined. All households that are supplied water by Southern Water must stop using hosepipes until further notice for: Watering the garden or plants in your garden at home Cleaning private vehicles or boats Filling or maintaining a swimming pool, paddling pool, hot tub or cold-water plunge pool at home Filling or maintaining a domestic pond or ornamental fountain Cleaning your home's walls or windows yourself Cleaning paths, patios or artificial outdoor surfaces You'll still be able to use a watering can or bucket to water your garden and for other activities. Southern Water adds: "Customers on our Priority Services Register with medical or mobility needs, including Blue Badge holders and those on our WaterSure tariff, are exempt." What happens if you use a hosepipe during a ban? Customers who ignore the ban could face fines of up to £1,000, but Southern Water has said they "hope it doesn't come to that". Recommended reading: Its website adds: "We aim to communicate first, providing information about why it's important not to use a hosepipe during restrictions, but enforcement may follow for repeated or serious breaches. "Water companies can ask customers to follow a hosepipe ban under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. "The Act gives us powers to fine customers up to £1,000 if they ignore it."
Scottish Sun
16-07-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Millions more households hit with hosepipe ban in DAYS as 4th firm confirms restrictions – full list of areas affected
PIPE DOWN Millions more households hit with hosepipe ban in DAYS as 4th firm confirms restrictions – full list of areas affected Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FOURTH major water firm has confirmed it will bring in a hosepipe ban following the driest spring in over 100 years. Southern Water is the latest to bring in restrictions for customers following hot weather. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Southern Water has confirmed it is bringing in a hosepipe ban Credit: Alamy It comes after sources exclusively told The Sun the water firm was days away from bringing in a ban. Restrictions will be brought in from 9am on July 21 across Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Other areas serviced by Southern Water such as West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent, aren't impacted. It comes after the Environment Agency declared the Solent and South Downs areas as experiencing "prolonged dry weather" and after the driest spring in over 100 years. Southern Water said customers on its Priority Services Register with medical or mobility needs are also exempt from the ban. This also includes Blue Badge holders and those on a WaterSure tariff. However, Southern Water is still urging these households to restrict their usage where possible. Anyone who is affected by the ban cannot use their hosepipe for the following purposes: watering gardens filling paddling pools, hot tubs or swimming pools washing cars, patios, or windows No end date has been confirmed for the hosepipe ban with Southern Water saying it will remove it "as soon as we can". Anyone who doesn't follow the hosepipe ban faces an up to £1,000 fine under the Management Act 2010.
Scotsman
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Scotsman
Hosepipe bans: the penalties for breaking 2025 water rules
The UK's water supplies are under serious pressure as drought spreads 💧 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The West and East Midlands have been officially declared in drought Water companies may introduce more hosepipe bans if rainfall remains low Millions of households in England are already facing water restrictions Breaking a hosepipe ban can result in fines up to £1,000 Certain exemptions apply for medical, commercial, and essential water use The West and East Midlands have officially been declared in drought following a meeting of the National Drought Group (NDG) on Tuesday (15 July) morning. According to the Environment Agency, conditions have worsened significantly since the group last met on June 5. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Without substantial rainfall in the coming weeks, some water companies may be forced to introduce further drought measures — including temporary use bans (TUBs), more commonly known as hosepipe bans. Millions of households are already facing water restrictions, with a hosepipe ban implemented in Yorkshire in the face of reservoir storage at only 53.8%. And embattled utility Thames Water has announced a ban which will begin next Tuesday (22 July) for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. (Photo: Pexels) | Pexels Millions more across the UK are being urged to use water wisely and follow any local restrictions, as prolonged dry weather continues to put pressure on the nation's water supply. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But what are the rules around hosepipe bans, and how much can you be fined if you break the rules? Here is everything you need to know. What does a hosepipe ban mean? A temporary use ban (TUB) prohibits using a hosepipe connected to mains water for non-essential outdoor activities such as watering gardens or lawns, washing cars, windows, patios or driveways, and filling swimming or paddling pools, hot tubs, fountains or ponds. You can still use a watering can or buckets, and you may use rainwater, greywater, or private borehole water through hoses. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Is anybody exempt from hosepipe bans? There are a number of exemptions under which a hosepipe may still be used, even during a regional ban. For instance, businesses and commercial users may use a hosepipe for essential operations, such as cleaning equipment or vehicles as a service. Priority Services customers (such as those with medical requirements or disabilities), Blue Badge holders, and WaterSure tariff users may have exemptions for essential water uses, including pools for medical or religious reasons. Food crops at home or private allotments may be watered with a hose if a watering can would be unreasonable to use, while nlaid turf or planted areas can be watered via hose for around 14–28 days post planting by a business contractor, depending on specific company policy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Public health, safety and essential maintenance (e.g. keeping a navigable pond oxygenated, washing vessels under specific conditions) are also permissible. What is the penalty for violating a hosepipe ban? Violating a hosepipe ban is a criminal offence under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, successor to the Water Industry Act 1991. Enforcement usually starts with a warning letter from your water company if a breach is reported, typically to issue a reminder before issuing a fine. They don't send enforcement officers to check every garden — most enforcement is based on community reports or repeated violations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Repeat or serious breaches can lead to fines without prosecution in court. Anyone found using a hosepipe during a ban may be fined up to £1,000. Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Scotsman
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Scotsman
Hosepipe bans: the penalties for breaking 2025 water rules
The UK's water supplies are under serious pressure as drought spreads 💧 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The West and East Midlands have been officially declared in drought Water companies may introduce more hosepipe bans if rainfall remains low Millions of households in England are already facing water restrictions Breaking a hosepipe ban can result in fines up to £1,000 Certain exemptions apply for medical, commercial, and essential water use The West and East Midlands have officially been declared in drought following a meeting of the National Drought Group (NDG) on Tuesday (15 July) morning. According to the Environment Agency, conditions have worsened significantly since the group last met on June 5. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Without substantial rainfall in the coming weeks, some water companies may be forced to introduce further drought measures — including temporary use bans (TUBs), more commonly known as hosepipe bans. Millions of households are already facing water restrictions, with a hosepipe ban implemented in Yorkshire in the face of reservoir storage at only 53.8%. And embattled utility Thames Water has announced a ban which will begin next Tuesday (22 July) for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. (Photo: Pexels) | Pexels Millions more across the UK are being urged to use water wisely and follow any local restrictions, as prolonged dry weather continues to put pressure on the nation's water supply. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But what are the rules around hosepipe bans, and how much can you be fined if you break the rules? Here is everything you need to know. What does a hosepipe ban mean? A temporary use ban (TUB) prohibits using a hosepipe connected to mains water for non-essential outdoor activities such as watering gardens or lawns, washing cars, windows, patios or driveways, and filling swimming or paddling pools, hot tubs, fountains or ponds. You can still use a watering can or buckets, and you may use rainwater, greywater, or private borehole water through hoses. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Is anybody exempt from hosepipe bans? There are a number of exemptions under which a hosepipe may still be used, even during a regional ban. For instance, businesses and commercial users may use a hosepipe for essential operations, such as cleaning equipment or vehicles as a service. Priority Services customers (such as those with medical requirements or disabilities), Blue Badge holders, and WaterSure tariff users may have exemptions for essential water uses, including pools for medical or religious reasons. Food crops at home or private allotments may be watered with a hose if a watering can would be unreasonable to use, while nlaid turf or planted areas can be watered via hose for around 14–28 days post planting by a business contractor, depending on specific company policy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Public health, safety and essential maintenance (e.g. keeping a navigable pond oxygenated, washing vessels under specific conditions) are also permissible. What is the penalty for violating a hosepipe ban? Violating a hosepipe ban is a criminal offence under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, successor to the Water Industry Act 1991. Enforcement usually starts with a warning letter from your water company if a breach is reported, typically to issue a reminder before issuing a fine. They don't send enforcement officers to check every garden — most enforcement is based on community reports or repeated violations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Repeat or serious breaches can lead to fines without prosecution in court. Anyone found using a hosepipe during a ban may be fined up to £1,000.
