Water restrictions (Hosepipe ban)

Water restrictions are now in place across our region.

Temporary Use Ban (Hosepipe ban)

On 5 April a Temporary Use Ban (hosepipe ban) came into force until further notice. As a result the potable* water supplied by Thames Water must not be used for the following purposes:

1. watering a 'garden' using a hosepipe;
2. cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe;
3. watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe;
4. cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe;
5. filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool (except when using hand held containers filled directly from a tap);
6. drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use;
7. filling or maintaining a domestic pond (excluding fish ponds) using a hosepipe;
8. filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain;
9. cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe;
10. cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe;
11. cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe.

*Water treated to drinkable standards

It is an offence to contravene this prohibition. The maximum penalty for each offence is £1,000.

Definition of a garden

A 'garden' includes all of the following: a park; gardens open to the public; a lawn; a grass verge; an area of grass used for sport or recreation; an allotment garden, as defined in section 22 of the Allotments Act 1922; any area of an allotment used for non-commercial purposes; and any other green space.

• Read our public notice (0.25Mb) (PDF File - Opens in a new window)

• Download our hosepipe ban leaflet (0.83Mb) (PDF File - Opens in a new window)

For more information about the Temporary Use Ban legislation and how it will affect you, visit the legislation.gov website below:

• The Water Use (Temporary Bans) Order 2010 (Opens in a new window)