Hosepipe ban comes into force today for 350,000 Brits - what you can and can’t do

A hosepipe ban has hit the UK today, amid another scorching heatwave across the country.

350,000 Brits will not be allowed to use their hosepipes, as officials are warning that drought conditions are increasingly likely.

On Friday (10 July), Anglian Water announced restrictions for over five million customers in the east of the country.

Cambridge Water also announced its first ban in three decades on Thursday, meaning hundreds of thousands more people will be affected.

Anglian’s ban began at 1am this morning, and as per Metro, it could see rulebreakers being handed a hefty fine of £1,000.

Meanwhile, Cambridge Water’s restrictions will formally come into place at 1am on Saturday morning; however, the utility has asked that people ‘live within the spirit of these restrictions immediately’.

Hosepipe bans are coming into force around the UK this weekend (Getty Stock Image)

The company’s managing director, Elena Karpathakis, told the BBC: “We have been doing everything possible to maintain supplies, but demand for water is currently at record levels. So we really need your help, please.”

She added: “‘This is not a decision we have taken lightly - it is the first time in more than 30 years, since the UK drought of 1995, that we have had to introduce a temporary hosepipe ban.”

While Dr Geoff Darch, head of strategic asset planning for Anglian Water, said, “This year has been exceptionally hot and dry, and we’re already into the third heatwave of the summer.

“Every day of sustained hot weather increases the challenge of balancing supply and demand, and we are now at the point where we need to ask customers to help by hanging up the hosepipe, letting lawns go brown, cars go dirty, and using water even more wisely to help protect the environment and ensure water remains available for all customers.”

If you live in an affected area, filling up a paddling pool is currently forbidden (Getty Stock Image)

What are the rules of a hosepipe ban?

The hosepipe bans are ‘temporary use bans,’ meaning that the restrictions only apply to domestic use of hosepipes, such as watering gardens, washing cars, or filling swimming and paddling pools.

You can’t use your hosepipe for the likes of:

• Watering your garden
• Watering plants
• Washing your car
• Cleaning patios and driveways
• Cleaning walls and windows
• Filling paddling pools, swimming pools or hot tubs
• Filling ponds and ornamental fountains
• Cleaning private leisure boats

As per Anglian Water, the restrictions also apply to sprinklers, pressure washers, dripper hoses, and automatic irrigation systems connected to the mains water supply.

It’s important to note that you can, of course, continue to use water as normal for essential everyday needs such as drinking, cooking, washing, and hygiene.

The temporary use ban is simply designed to reduce non-essential water use and help protect supplies across the region.

Washing your car is also not allowed (Getty Stock Image)

Why have hosepipe bans been implemented?

Bans are implemented during periods of drought and prolonged dry weather to help make sure there's enough water for homes, businesses, and essential services, while also protecting local rivers and the environment.

Anglian Water explained on its website: “After weeks of hot, dry weather and exceptionally high demand, we're using water faster than it can be replaced naturally.

"To help protect supplies for everyone, we now need customers to reduce non-essential water use.

“Our teams are currently treating and supplying around 30% more water than usual, but water is being used faster than it can be replaced naturally in rivers, groundwater sources, and reservoirs.”

If you're unsure whether you're affected, you can use this Water UK Postcode Checker to find out your local water supplier, then head to their website to find out if a Temporary Use Ban is in place.