Thousands of homes across parts of west Wales will be subject to a hosepipe ban from this weekend after Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water confirmed a Temporary Use Ban (TUB) following weeks of exceptionally high demand.
The restrictions, which come into force at 10am on Sunday, July 19, will affect around 33,000 properties across parts of Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.
But what happens if you ignore the ban, and can you legally be stopped from using a hosepipe?
What is a hosepipe ban?
A hosepipe ban, officially known as a Temporary Use Ban (TUB), is a legal restriction introduced by water companies during periods of prolonged dry weather when demand for water becomes exceptionally high.
The aim is to reduce unnecessary water use while ensuring there is still enough water available for essential needs such as drinking, cooking, washing and sanitation.
Under a Temporary Use Ban, households are prohibited from using a hosepipe for a range of activities, including:
- Watering gardens and plants
- Filling paddling pools
- Washing cars
- Cleaning patios and driveways
- Filling ornamental ponds in some circumstances
Many of these activities can still continue, but only if water is applied using a watering can or bucket rather than a hosepipe.
Can you legally be fined?
Yes.
A Temporary Use Ban is backed by law, meaning anyone who ignores the restrictions could face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.
The powers are set out in Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991, which allows water companies to impose restrictions on specified uses of water supplied through a hosepipe.
Water companies generally focus on educating customers first, but they can investigate reports of repeated breaches and take enforcement action where necessary.
Will someone stop you using a hosepipe?
Water companies are unlikely to have staff actively patrolling streets looking for people using hosepipes.
However, they may investigate reports from members of the public or instances where repeated breaches are identified. In some cases, warning letters may be issued before any formal enforcement action is considered.
The vast majority of customers comply voluntarily once restrictions are introduced.
What is a Non Essential Use Ban?
If dry conditions continue, water companies have the option of introducing a Non Essential Use Ban (NEUB), which goes further than a standard hosepipe ban.
Unlike a Temporary Use Ban, which mainly affects households, a NEUB is aimed at businesses, which account for around a third of the UK’s public water use.
Restrictions can include prohibiting businesses from:
- Watering outdoor plants at commercial premises
- Filling or maintaining non domestic swimming pools and paddling pools
- Filling or maintaining ponds
- Operating mechanical vehicle washes
- Cleaning vehicles, boats, aircraft and trains
- Cleaning commercial buildings and windows
- Cleaning industrial plant
- Suppressing dust
- Operating cisterns in unoccupied buildings
These additional restrictions are set out under The Drought Direction 2011.
Why are hosepipe bans introduced?
Water companies introduce Temporary Use Bans when prolonged hot, dry weather leads to unusually high demand and water storage levels begin to fall.
The restrictions are intended to reduce non essential water use, helping to protect supplies while avoiding more severe measures if conditions continue to worsen.
Welsh Water says it has been supplying around one billion litres of drinking water every day during the recent hot spell, around 20 per cent more than would normally be expected for this time of year.
The company says introducing temporary restrictions now will help safeguard essential water supplies while the dry weather continues.
