NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Swathes of the UK are now being affected by temporary hosepipe bans.

Kent, Sussex, Cornwall, Pembrokeshire, Northwest Devon, Yorkshire, the Isle of Wight, and the Isle of Man are among the areas where millions are currently barred (or soon to be barred) from hosepipe usage.

The bans are coming into force following England declaring a drought, August’s major heatwave, and the near rainless July we’ve just had – dubbed the driest in over 110 years.

There’s a lot of talk about these bans, but you’d be forgiven for wanting a clearer picture of what’s allowed during one, and what isn’t.

Here’s a guide to get you started.

During a hosepipe ban, your use of a hosepipe connected to your mains water supply is seriously restricted.

‘Hosepipe’ also means ‘anything designed, adapted or used to serve the same purpose as a hosepipe’ – which includes things like sprinklers or many types of irrigation system.

Generally, people are forbidden from using a hosepipe to:

People are also barred from drawing water using a hosepipe for ‘domestic recreational use’.

The restrictions are set out under the Water Use (Temporary Bans) Order 2010.

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.

Firstly, you can technically use a hosepipe during a ban if it is not connected to your mains water supply, i.e. if you have a water butt (which stores rainwater throughout the year).

Additionally, South East Water says its ban doesn’t apply if use ‘is required for unavoidable health and safety reasons, such as removing or minimising any risk to human or animal health or safety, or preventing or controlling the spread of causative agents or disease’.

Specific exemptions to some of the bulleted points above may also apply in your area.

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South East Water adds that its customers can water a lawn that has been laid within the last 28 days – you just need to ensure you water it outside of ‘peak hours’ (8am to 10am, then 5pm to 9pm).

It states: ‘You may use a hosepipe to water newly laid turf in domestic gardens for 28 days after planting/laying in order to help them establish.

‘In order to do so you must be able to provide evidence of that date on which the gardening work was completed. Failure to do so and watering for longer than 28 days will be considered a breach of the conditions of the temporary use ban.’

People can still water their gardens using a bucket of water, or using a watering can.

Garden ponds can be filled purely for the safety of fish or aquatic animals that live in the pond.

Bizarrely, it seems hot tubs are exempt from temporary hosepipe bans, though ‘swim spas’ and swimming pools are restricted.

That said, given the whole point of the hosepipe ban is to conserve water, you might want to think twice about using up water when it’s not entirely necessary to do so.

In its FAQs, South East Water specifically says: ‘Hot tubs are not restricted.

‘Although exempt we would ask if you can wait until cooler weather and demand for water reduces for any water use that isn’t really necessary, that would really help.’

Generally speaking, people with disabilities – Blue Badge holders in particular – may be exempt from following the ban at all.

For example, South West Water has noted in its FAQs: ‘If you are a Blue Badge holder, on our Watersure tariff due to a medical condition or are on our Priority Services register, you are exempt.’

It’s worth noting, though, that these exemptions may differ slightly depending on your local area. There are more specifics to consider for farms, allotments, parks, schools, businesses, etc, too.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to check your local water supplier’s rules and follow them.

If you’re not sure who your water supplier is, don’t stress. You can find out here by just typing in your postcode.

Then simply visit the company’s official website for further information.

MORE : Map shows where hosepipe bans are in place and where they’re coming into effect

MORE : When was the last hosepipe ban in the UK, and how can you save water during one?

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