Hosepipe ban household customer FAQs

Yes. Reusing water from baths, showers or washing up can be a great way to reduce water use and help keep your garden watered during periods of high demand.

This type of water (often called grey water) can contain small amounts of soap, detergent or other residues. Soil and compost can help filter these out.

To use grey water safely:

• Only store it for up to 24 hours before use

• Apply it directly to the soil rather than using it in irrigation systems

• Avoid using it on edible crops, such as fruit and vegetables, because of the potential risk of contamination

For more advice on reusing water in your garden, visit the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) website.

Yes, you can but not using a hosepipe.

Most water fountains recycle the same water and only use a small amount of additional water. If your fountain operates in this way, you can continue to use it.

However, you must not use a hosepipe to refill or top up a water fountain while the hosepipe ban is in place.

The only exception is where a fountain is part of a fishpond and is needed to provide enough oxygen in the water to keep fish healthy.

Only with a hand-held container using water from a tap. This restriction doesn’t apply if you’re filling a pool for the following purposes:

• 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.

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. 

No. Under the hosepipe ban, you cannot use a hosepipe to water a non-commercial allotment or vegetable patch. The only exception to this is where using a watering can is not a feasible option. In the vast majority of cases, you should use a watering can to keep plants healthy while conserving water.

Yes. You can use a hosepipe where it is necessary to care for your animals, including providing drinking water and cleaning animals or their living areas, such as yards, stables or kennels.

Where possible, we ask that you use water efficiently and avoid unnecessary use.

 Yes. You may use a hosepipe to top up a pond where it is necessary to maintain a minimum water level and protect the health and welfare of the fish. However, please remember that tap water needs to be conditioned before being added to a pond.  

A hosepipe ban carries legal force and ultimately, we are authorised to issue fines of up to £1,000 to people who ignore the rules. However, we want to avoid this wherever possible.

We provide customers with information and advice to help customers understand why the restrictions are needed. Enforcement action may be taken in cases of repeated or serious breaches.

The purpose of the ban is to protect essential water supplies and minimise impact on the environment. We hope everyone will play their part without the need for enforcement action.

There are exceptions to the hosepipe ban that apply to particular customers or types of water use. If you see someone using a hosepipe, they may be permitted to do so under the rules.

For example, the hosepipe ban does not apply to businesses or people with additional needs. The exceptions are set by law, rather than by us.

If you think someone is using a hosepipe in breach of the rules, you might want to check the list of exceptions before reporting the activity to us.