As temperatures continue to rise across the UK, water usage has hit “record levels” in some areas.
South East Water announced a Temporary Usage Ban on hosepipe and sprinkler use for its customers in Kent and Sussex on 16 June – and the ban can now be enforced from today with fines of up to £1,000.
You are watching: Hosepipe bans: What are the rules, what are the exemptions and what do they mean?
Here’s what you need to know about the restrictions and what they mean for you.
What does the Temporary Use Ban (TUB) mean?
A TUB or a hosepipe ban simply means you must not use a hosepipe that is connected to your mains water supply.
This means people cannot use hosepipes to fill a paddling pool or swimming pool; water plants in their home or garden; clean walls or windows of a domestic property; clean a private leisure boat; fill a domestic pond; maintain a water fountain; and clean patios or any artificial outdoor surfaces.
A hosepipe ban also includes anything “adapted” to serve the same purpose as a hosepipe, according to South East Water, which would rule out the use of garden sprinklers, irrigation systems, pressure washers and similar items.
Anyone who breaches the ban without permission from the water company may be fined as much as £1,000.
Does the ban affect me?
If you are currently living in Kent and Sussex, the ban will impact you and everyone whose water is supplied by South East Water.
You can check if you’ll be affected by entering your postcode here.
Why are hosepipe bans put in place?
During prolonged periods of dry weather, more drinking water is consumed from taps than normal.
When temperatures begin to rise, the demand for water reaches “record levels”, which means that some people in the area may experience little to no water in local storage tanks due to this.
These bans are brought in to make sure a fair amount of water is distributed and available for people across the region.
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What are the exemptions?
There are some exemptions for certain people with “specific circumstances”.
A hosepipe can be used when it is needed for “unavoidable” health and safety reasons.
This could be to remove or minimise risk to human or animal health – or to prevent the spread of causative agents or disease.
It can also be used if it is not connected to mains water, such as using a water butt or other recycled water systems.
A hosepipe might also be used to protect the general welfare and safety of animals – including fish.
South East Water says it may still “question your use” of an exemption if it receives reports of hosepipe usage.
Can I still water my garden?
No – you must not water your garden using a hosepipe while the ban is in place, says South East Water.
The company defines a garden as being private or public and can be a lawn, park, grass verge or an area used for sport or recreation.
It can also be an allotment used for non-commercial purposes.
The firm says a garden is not agricultural land or land used for a business to grow crops, fruits, vegetables or other plants for sale.
But it has said you can use a hosepipe to water your garden for the following reasons:
• To water an area of grass or outdoor artificial surface used for sports or recreation. This is on the active strip/playing area only – not the whole grounds – and when watering is undertaken outside of daily peak hours of 8am-10am and 5pm-9pm.
• Drip or trickle irrigation watering systems
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• To water new lawns at domestic premises, where this cannot reasonably be undertaken with a watering can and the turf was laid before the onset of the ban, for a period of four weeks after being laid and when undertaken outside of daily peak hours of 8am-10am and 5pm-9pm.
• To water food crops at domestic premises or private allotments, where this cannot be properly done by a watering can.
Can I use a hosepipe to wash my car?
No – you cannot use this method to clean any private vehicle.
But you may clean a vehicle with a hosepipe if it is done as a service to customers “in the course of a business”.
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What are water companies doing about their infrastructure?
According to a National Audit Office report, three billion litres of water is lost through leakage every day.
Water UK has said around 216,000 miles of pipes date back to the 19th century.
Ofwat, the water regulator, said leaks fell by 36% between 1994 and 2000 – but since then, have fallen by just 8%.
Water companies have been criticised for the amount of daily leakage – which has also seen some roads flooded – which puts further strain on the supply of water.
Leaks can sometimes occur when pipes wear out or become damaged due to freezing weather conditions or the weight of traffic on roads.
Ofwat has said it aims to reduce leakage over the 2020-2025 period and said the section “will cut leakage by 16% by 2025”.
Although these leakages take place, bans are often put in place to maintain the water supply left in the area in order to make sure water does not run dry during heated weather conditions.
Ofwat has said hosepipe bans “are not something anyone wants, but they play an important role in a period of drought”.
“They help maintain enough water for our day-to-day use, support key economic activity such as agriculture and protect the environment,” it added.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor
