Hosepipe ban 2025
Important information about how hosepipe restrictions may affect you.
Multiple regions are currently under a hosepipe ban. If you are affected it’s important to understand what you are and are not permitted to use water for.
Which areas are affected?
The entire Yorkshire Water region. Customers in the South East Water area in Sussex and Kent. Customers in the Thames Water area in the following postcodes: OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8 and RG9. Customers in the Southern Water area in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Why is this happening?
Much of the country is currently experiencing an unusually dry spell. Reservoir levels are falling, and river flows are very low. The water companies are working hard to manage the situation through their drought and water resource plans, but further action is essential.
What does this mean for you?
Leep Networks (Water) Ltd, your water supplier, sources water from the affected water companies and has a duty to support their drought response. As a result, we are implementing hosepipe bans that mirror those of our suppliers.
What can’t you do during the ban?
The following activities using a hosepipe are prohibited:
- Watering a garden
- Cleaning a private vehicle
- Watering plants on domestic or non-commercial premises
- Cleaning a private leisure boat
- Filling or maintaining a swimming or paddling pool
- Drawing water for domestic use
- Filling or maintaining a domestic pond
- Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain
- Cleaning walls or windows of a domestic property
- Cleaning paths, patios, or artificial outdoor surfaces
What can you still do?
You may still carry out these activities if you use:
- A bucket or watering can, or
- Water not sourced from the mains, such as collected rainwater, grey water, or water from a private borehole.
We understand this may be inconvenient, and we really appreciate your cooperation in protecting our shared water resources.
For practical ways to reduce water use, visit our dedicated Water Saving Tips page.
Getting in touch
Representations may be made to:
LNWL Drought Team, Metro, 2nd Floor, 33 Trafford Road, M5 3NN or by email to [email protected]. Please mark any emails ‘LNWL TUB’.
Statutory Exceptions
People who may find it hard to make adaptations and are registered with our Priority Service Register, are a Blue Badge holder or WaterSure customer with mobility or health needs, will be granted an automatic exception to any of the restrictions.
Customers who meet the requirements above and below can continue to use water without having to make a representation to us to receive permission. In using water, we ask that customers use water wisely and adopt water efficient practices:
- Using a hosepipe for health or safety reasons, where this includes (a) removing or minimising any risk to human or animal health or safety; and (b) preventing or controlling the spread of causative agents of disease.
- Watering plants that are (1) grown or kept for sale or commercial use, or (2) that are part of a National Plant Collection or temporary garden or flower display.
- Cleaning any area of a private leisure boat which, except for doors or windows, is enclosed by a roof and walls.
- Filling or maintaining a pool where necessary in the course of its construction.
- Filling or maintaining a pool that is designed, constructed or adapted for use in the course of a programme of medical treatment.
- Filling or maintaining a pool that is used for the purpose of decontaminating animals from infections or disease.
- Filling or maintaining a pool used in the course of a programme of veterinary treatment.
- Filling or maintaining a pool in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity.
- Filling or maintaining a domestic pond in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity; and
- Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain which is in or near a fishpond and whose purpose is to supply sufficient oxygen to the water in the pond in order to keep the fish healthy.
NB: Watering areas of grass, which are used for sport or recreation, is covered by a Statuary Exception for health & safety only in relation to the active strip/playing area, not the entire ground.
Discretionary Universal Exceptions
Customers who meet the criteria below for a Discretionary Universal Exception can continue to use water without having to make representation to us to receive permission to use water for the following restricted uses. We request that customers that meet the requirements for a Discretionary Universal Exception use water wisely and adopt water efficient practices.
- Watering a garden attached to a domestic dwelling, or watering plants on domestic premises using a hosepipe by people with severe mobility problems who hold a current Blue Badge as issued by their local authority.
- Use of an approved drip or trickle irrigation watering system, fitted with a pressure reducing valve and a timer, that are not handheld, that place water drip by drip directly onto the soil surface or beneath the soil surface, without any surface run off or dispersion of water through the air using a jet or mist.
- Commercial customers that use hosepipes in the course of their day-to-day business operation (for example hand car washing, window cleaning, graffiti removal), excluding the watering of domestic gardens.
Penalties
Any person who contravenes any of these prohibitions may be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000.
How can we help?
We’re here to make your utility experience seamless and hassle-free. Our online Help Centre covers a range of useful advice and support.
