More than one in ten households living with a hosepipe ban do not intend to comply with the restrictions, according to a YouGov survey of more than 4,200 adults commissioned by the Press Association.
The poll found 11% of households said they did not intend to fully abide by the ban, while 5% did not yet know. Separately, 10% said they would report a neighbour using a hose in their garden during a ban, with 71% saying they would not and the rest unsure.
Which areas are affected?
Seven water companies – Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, Southern Water, South East Water, Thames Water and South West Water – have introduced the restrictions, officially known as a Temporary Use Ban. The measures affect 23 million customers, or around 40% of England’s population.
Overall, just half of households (49%) said they supported a hosepipe ban in their local area, while 35% opposed the restrictions.
Why some plan to ignore the ban
A significant number of responses involved the view that metered customers should be able to use as much water as they needed because they were paying for it. Other reasons given were concerns about fruit and vegetables going to waste because they were too difficult to water with a watering can, and the desire to support wildlife in the garden.
Under the rules, households can use a watering can, and hosepipes remain allowed for watering food crops at home or on an allotment when using a watering can is not practical. A drip irrigation system is also allowed if it is fitted with a timer and pressure-reducing valve and delivers water directly to the soil rather than spraying it into the air.
The ban extends to using a hosepipe to clean a car or fill a paddling pool or domestic swimming pool.
Public frustration with suppliers
Some respondents raised broader concerns about their water supplier’s performance. One said: "I pay an extortionate amount for my water. It is not my problem that water companies would rather give their CEOs ridiculous amounts of money instead of building new reservoirs."
Another said: "How does a first world nation not have the infrastructure to support no rain for a month?"
Drought context and savings
The bans come as almost a third of England – including parts of the South East, Midlands and North West – remains in "prolonged dry weather" status, with only the North East and Yorkshire still seeing "normal" conditions for the time of year. Last week, the Environment Agency declared seven areas of central, eastern and southern England – around half of the country – officially in drought.
During a previous hosepipe ban, Yorkshire Water reported savings of up to 10% in household consumption, while Anglian Water has reported a 9% reduction in demand since its ban was implemented last month.
Water companies and regulators respond
A Water UK spokeswoman said: "We are incredibly grateful to customers for doing their bit to protect our environment and preserve our water supplies. Some parts of the country have seen demand for water rise by more than a third. Water companies are working round the clock fixing leaks, moving water across regions and running treatment works flat out to keep supplies flowing, and we urge all customers to use water wisely."
An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: "A hosepipe can use 1,000 litres an hour – which is more than a family-of-four will use in a day. These short-term bans allow companies to conserve their supplies as we don’t know when this drought will end. We are grateful to people for following the restrictions, where in place. The less water we use, the more stays in the local environment, which is vital for the health of our rivers and wildlife."
Consumer Council for Water chief executive Mike Keil said: "We know hosepipe restrictions are frustrating for some people, but water companies have a duty to act when sustained hot, dry weather and increased demand for water threaten both the environment and the security of water supplies needed for essential use. However, asking customers to play their part means water companies must be playing theirs too. Water saving is a shared responsibility and when customers see their water company failing to get a grip on leakage, it understandably drains their own motivation to save water."
