Hosepipe ban business customer FAQs

Yes. The hosepipe ban does not apply to businesses.

This exception is set out in legislation and help ensure that essential services can continue to operate safely. In some cases, businesses need to use water to meet health and safety requirements or comply with other legal obligations.

Exceptions also help minimise disruption to livelihoods and the wider economy. View the full list of exceptions.

If you're a business customer, you can continue to use a hosepipe where it's necessary for the day-to-day operation of your business.

Where you do need to use water for your business, we ask that you use it as efficiently as possible.

No. As a commercial window cleaning business, you’re exempt from the restrictions. Please do what you can to use water efficiently.

Yes. Commercial car washes and car valeting businesses are not affected by the hosepipe ban and can continue to use hosepipes as part of their business activities.

We encourage all businesses to use water efficiently and avoid unnecessary water use wherever possible.

Yes. You can hold a charity car wash, but you must not use hosepipes or pressure washers.

Vehicles can be cleaned using a bucket and sponge. We also encourage organisers to use water as efficiently as possible to help reduce demand during the hosepipe ban.

Garden centres are not covered by the restrictions when watering plants that are being grown or kept for commercial sale.

Where possible, we encourage you to use water efficiently, including using watering cans or other water-saving methods instead of hosepipes.

Yes. Newly planted ornamental plants can be watered using a hosepipe or sprinkler for up to 28 days after planting.

Where watering is necessary, we ask that you use water as efficiently as possible and consider ways to reduce water use, such as watering at cooler times of the day or using targeted watering methods.

No. Roadside planters containing trees are not exempt from the hosepipe ban, so you can’t use a hosepipe to water them.

You can use alternative methods, such as a watering can or a drip or trickle irrigation system, to help use water more efficiently.

No. Hosepipes and sprinklers cannot be used to water hanging baskets, floral displays, flower beds or other ornamental planting in public areas such as town centres and parks.

We appreciate that councils and other organisations have an important role in maintaining public spaces, and we encourage you to use water as efficiently as possible when carrying out essential maintenance.

Where watering is needed, consider using more water-efficient methods, such as drip or trickle irrigation systems fitted with pressure-reducing valves and timers.

 We appreciate the importance of not letting critical playing surfaces become damaged, so the watering of a key playing area is permitted only, for instance cricket squares, golf greens, bowling greens, tennis courts. Watering other parts using a hosepipe or sprinkler is not permitted. 

If you are growing food crops for sale as part of a business, you are allowed to use a hosepipe. However, we'd ask you to be careful with water and consider water-efficient alternatives to hosepipes wherever possible.

If you are growing food for private consumption, for example on an allotment or vegetable patch, you must not use a hosepipe. The only exception is where using a watering can is not a feasible option.

Yes. Council-run water play areas, such as splash parks, are not covered by the restrictions as they are not classed as domestic pools or private recreational areas.

However, we encourage councils to take steps to use water efficiently and minimise any unnecessary water wastage while the hosepipe ban is in place.

 Yes. Hosepipes may be used to fill pools located within places of worship or community pools that are used as part of a religious ceremony. 

As stated above, the hosepipe ban does not apply to businesses. This means that pools or hot tubs can be filled where they are being used as part of a business. This exception is set by law, rather than by us.

If you have a pool or hot tub at home, you can only fill it:

• During its construction
• The pool is used for medical reasons
• The pool is used for veterinary treatment
• If fish or other aquatic animals are being kept in the pool.

Agricultural activities aren’t affected by the ban, but you must observe all the restrictions.

We encourage all farmers and agricultural businesses to use water as efficiently as possible and make use of water-saving practices and equipment where available.

 Yes. As a commercial business you are exempt from the hosepipe ban.  

We’re unable to repair leaks on private sites or premises.

It’s your responsibility to arrange for it to be repaired. Your water retailer may be able to provide advice or support, or you may need to appoint a qualified contractor to carry out the repair.

During periods of warm weather, water use can increase significantly across the South West. Businesses can help by taking simple steps to reduce demand and use water more efficiently.

Ways you can reduce your water use include:

• Check for leaks and repair dripping taps, leaking toilets or any other plumbing issues in your workplace.
• Encourage employees to use water wisely, report leaks and identify areas where water use could be reduced.
• Ask employees to share water-saving ideas that could help your business reduce waste and lower costs.
• Review your business processes to identify opportunities to save water, including reusing water where appropriate.

Visit our save water page here.

The hosepipe ban itself does not determine how much you are charged for your water. If you have questions about your bill or any potential impact on your charges, you should contact your water retailer.

Since April 2017, all business customers in England have been supplied by licensed water retailers.