Hosepipe restrictions

A hosepipe ban stops customers using a hosepipe for non-essential activities, including: 

• watering gardens
• filling paddling pools, hot tubs or swimming pools
• washing cars, patios, or windows 

We’ll remove the hosepipe ban as soon as we can, but this can only happen when there’s enough water in our reservoirs, rivers and underground aquifers to meet demand. There’s no need to call us, we’ll let you know when the hosepipe ban is lifted.

You can:

• Use water for things like drinking, cooking, showering and washing your clothes
• Use a watering can or bucket
• Wash your car at a commercial car wash

Yes, hosepipe bans make a positive difference to the environment. If we work together and reduce our water use, then water demand will go down and put less pressure on the rivers that supply your water. 

The South East, along with the rest of the UK, relies heavily on regular rainfall to keep rivers, reservoirs and groundwater topped up. The UK's water system wasn't built for long periods of dry, warm weather. In addition, the UK's population density puts extra pressure on water supplies in certain regions, especially the South East, where it's generally drier than the rest of the county. With extended periods of warm, dry weather becoming increasingly common, we're investing in new water sources, like water recycling plants and new reservoirs, like the one at Havant Thicket to address the shortage.

No discount will be offered because of the hosepipe ban. These measures have been put in place due to the unprecedented dry weather throughout our region. We hope putting restrictions in place will help to protect local rivers and keep taps flowing this summer. 

We’ve been working hard to develop future water resources which will reduce our reliance on the River Test and River Itchen in Hampshire, and the aquifers that feed them. These include:

• the construction of Havant Thicket reservoir
• water transfer schemes from elsewhere in the south
• developing water recycling schemes
• supporting customers to become more water efficient in homes and businesses

However, because of climate change and population growth, until these initiatives are fully in place, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will continue to pose our region’s biggest risk in terms of water supply challenges within a drought conditions.

Even if it's rained recently, hosepipe bans are based on long-term water levels, not just short-term weather. It takes a lot of consistent rainfall to fill reservoirs and top up underground supplies after a dry spell. So even after a period of rain, the overall supply might still be too low to lift the hosepipe ban. 

We’ve had to increase bills to make sure we can invest in the areas that customers have told us matter most:

• minimising flooding by upgrading sites and increasing the number of natural drainage solutions
• finding and fixing more leaks by replacing 300km of pipework and installing more sensors
• reducing storm overflows at almost 300 locations along our coastline, investing £1.1 billion in our bathing waters
• making your supply more resilient by building more reservoirs and water recycling plants
• delivering excellent customer service providing increased support for customers who need it most
• limiting our impact on rivers by reducing the amount of water we take from them, protecting wildlife and habitats.

The investments we make now will ensure we can keep the taps flowing for customers long into the future.

The hosepipe ban helps us continue to provide our customers with water during a drought, while making sure that rivers in our area aren’t used too much to supply water. Keeping as much water in local rivers as we can, means the river and wildlife within and around them is protected. 

Simple steps include:

• turning off taps while brushing teeth, this can save over 5,000 litres of water a year
• using a watering can instead of a hosepipe – a hose can use 1,000 litres of water an hour
• only running dishwashers and washing machines with full loads
• asking for a free water-saving kit from us
• letting the lawn go brown – it’ll soon pick up when it rains
• keeping a shower under four minutes.
• Short-term use of dish or shower water to tide plants over in summer - but not on edible crops. 

You can find our other top water saving tips on our website.

Yes. You can water newly laid turf for 28 days with a hosepipe. However, we would hope that anyone who needs to do so would consider how they can use water wisely while doing that.  

Plants can be watered with shower, bath and washing up water. It can vary in quality and may contain contaminants such as soap and detergent. Fortunately, soil and potting composts are effective at filtering them out, and the residues can sometimes act as a mild fertiliser. The water should be saved for up to 24 hours only and not used in irrigation systems.  

There should be no problem with small-scale, short-term use of washing-up or shower water to tide plants over in summer drought. An exception is on edible crops, due to the risk of contamination from pathogens in the water.  
  
There’s lots of helpful information about re-using water for gardening on the RHS website.

Yes, you can but not using a hosepipe. Please use a watering can or other hand-held container.  

Most water fountains operate by recycling a small amount of water. If this is the case for yours, you may continue to use it. You cannot, however, replenish the fountain with water from the tap, unless it’s in or near to a fishpond, and its purpose is to supply sufficient oxygen to the water in the pond to keep fish healthy.  

Not unless you do so 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
• where designed, constructed or adapted for use in medical treatment
• for the purpose of decontaminating animals from infections or disease
• for veterinary treatment
• for the purposes of a business
• if fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity. 

• private car 
• taxi 
• limousine 
• wedding car 
• private hire minibus 
• private hire coach 
• any other vehicle including those used for business purposes e.g. van. 

You can still use a hosepipe to water an allotment or vegetable patch but where possible we’d encourage you to think about using water wisely and use a watering can, if you’re able to.

You can use your hosepipe to clean animals and their areas, e.g. a yard or stable, and provide them with water for drinking. 

Yes. You should keep your pond topped up to a minimum level to safeguard the fish, but please remember that tap water needs conditioning before it is used to top up a pond.