A hosepipe ban has come into force in London following weeks of hot and dry weather. The move was announced by Thames Water earlier this week and follows a number of similar bans in the South-East of England.
The ban, which came into force at midnight, will affect around 10 million homes in London and the surrounding area. Thames Water blamed the ban on a combination of “prolonged dry weather and heatwaves”, higher than normal demand for water and a lack of forecast rain. Officials say 23 million people across England are now under or facing restrictions.
Prohibited uses under the ban
The following uses of a hosepipe are prohibited under the ban: cleaning a private vehicle or trailer; watering plants on domestic or non-commercial premises; cleaning a private leisure boat; filling a domestic swimming or paddling pool; drawing water for domestic recreational use; filling a domestic pond; filling an ornamental fountain; cleaning the walls or windows of domestic premises; cleaning paths or patios; cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces.
Exemptions to the restrictions
However, the following exemptions apply: using a hosepipe to water a garden, surfaces etc for health and safety reasons; watering plants that are for commercial use, part of a National Plant Collection or part of a temporary garden display; cleaning a private leisure boat, except for doors and windows, enclosed by a roof and walls; filling or maintaining a pool during its construction; filling or maintaining a pool designed, constructed or adapted for use in the course of medical treatment, decontaminating animals, veterinary treatment or keeping fish in captivity, including in domestic ponds or ornamental fountains.
Those with severe mobility problems are exempt from most restrictions. Businesses are exempt from restrictions regarding vehicles, boats, walls and windows, paths and patios and artificial surfaces. Watering a garden with an approved drip or trickle irrigation watering system is also exempt.
Additional exemptions include: cleaning a private leisure boat if it is a primary residence, has engines designed to be cleaned with a hosepipe or where fouling is causing increased fuel consumption; watering turf, lawns, trees, plants etc planted 28 days ago or less; watering trees, saplings or hedges planted within the last three years; those on the Priority Services Register are exempt from most restrictions; cleaning a private leisure boat to prevent the spread of invasive species; filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain with religious significance; filling a caravan water tank for washing, cooking or sanitation; filling a swimming pool, hot tub etc in a fixed structure after construction or significant refurbishment; watering crops at domestic premises or private allotments when this cannot reasonably be done by a watering can.
Thames Water statement
A Thames Water spokesperson said: "We hope our customers will continue to use water wisely, as they have done already this summer, and we’re really grateful for everyone’s help. While we’re not asking customers to contact us about how their neighbours are using water, including hose use, we may get in touch with customers who repeatedly don’t follow the rules. This is just to make sure they’re aware of the restrictions and how to use water responsibly. We are not asking anyone to call 999 or 101 if they see someone using a hosepipe. We would never knock on a customer’s door and ask them to pay a fine."
