A hosepipe ban is currently in place in some parts of Wales following a prolonged period of extreme weather and "exceptionally high demand for drinking water". The water restrictions are affecting around 33,000 properties across Wales, including Ceredigion County Council, Pembrokeshire County Council and Carmarthenshire County Council.
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water explained that a hosepipe ban means "you won’t be allowed to use a hosepipe in your garden or home". This includes using hosepipes to water gardens or fill paddling pools.
Who is exempt from the hosepipe ban?
Welsh Water said that under the restrictions, "the use of a hosepipe, including using sprinklers, dripper hoses, automatic irrigation systems and similar devices, is not allowed," leaving households wondering how they can legally water their garden. However, certain exceptions are in place.
General exceptions to the hosepipe ban include those on the Priority Services Register who are unable to make reasonable adjustments due to a health condition or disability, Blue Badge holders, those needing to protect human health and safety, and those needing water for animal welfare, including pets, livestock and fish.
Garden exceptions
Garden exceptions include trees, hedges and saplings planted within the last planting season, where watering with a watering can is not feasible; turf laid within the last 28 days; newly-bought plants for the first 14 days after purchase; food crops grown at home or at a private allotment, where using a watering can is not feasible; sports pitches and surfaces where watering is necessary, so long as watering takes place outside of the peak hours of 8-10am and 5-9pm; and using an irrigation system that drips or trickles, with a time and pressure-reducing valve that delivers water directly to soil.
There is no restriction on using a watering can in your garden. Watering is most efficient if done at a cooler time of day – early morning or late evening. You can also fill a pond to keep fish or other aquatic animals healthy, or where a pond or pool is used as part of a recognised religious practice.
Pool, car and cleaning exceptions
Pool exceptions include pools designed for medical or therapeutic use, pools under construction that need to be filled as part of construction, and pools used as part of a religious ceremony in a place of worship or community setting.
Car exceptions include cleaning a vehicle as part of a private business, for example a car wash; vehicles used for public services, business purposes or transporting goods; taxis, commercial vehicles or goods vehicles; and filling a water tank in a caravan or motorhome where it’s needed for essential washing, cooking and sanitation.
Cleaning exceptions apply when cleaning is part of a professional service or business.
Prohibited activities and affected areas
Activities prohibited during the hosepipe ban include watering a garden using a hosepipe; watering plants in an outdoor pot or in the ground, under cover on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe; drawing water using a hosepipe for domestic recreational use; cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe; cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe; cleaning walls or windows of domestic premises using a hosepipe; cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe; cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe; filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool; filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe; and filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain.
Affected areas in Ceredigion County Council include Aberaeron, Llanon, Llangwyryfon, Cwm Ystwyth, Tregaron, Pontrhydfendigaid, Ystrad Meurig, Lampeter, Felinfach, Ciliau Aeron, Llandysul (Ceredigion), New Quay, Aberporth, and Rhydlewis. In Pembrokeshire County Council: Crymych, Eglwyswrw, Nevern, Newport (Pembrokeshire), Llanfyrnach, Tegryn, and Star. In Carmarthenshire County Council: Farmers, Pencader and Hermon.
