The hosepipe ban: Who does it affect?

From midnight on the 5th April a hosepipe ban was introduced across seven countries in the south and east of England.

The move follows months of exceptionally low rainfall which have made the last two years the driest period since 1900.

Anglian Water, South East Water, Souther Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Thames Water, Veolia Water Central and Veolia Water Southeast have all introduced the ban.

On the whole the ban affects domestic customers in these regions who as a consequence of the ban may not be able to:

• Water their garden, allotment or other green space
• Wash a private motor vehicle
• Water plants that are in containers or in the ground but under cover
• Draw water for domestic recreational use
• Clean windows, walls, patios, paths or other surfaces
• Fill or maintain a domestic pond
• Clean a private leisure boat

There are also restrictions on filling and maintaining:
• Domestic swimming pools
• Domestic paddling pools
• ornamental fountains

All of the affected areas have made exceptions for commercial businesses.

There were some concerns, expressed by The British Window Cleaning Academy that while most of the water companies were allowing the continued use of water fed poles for anyone carrying out window cleaning as a business, Veolia Water would restrict the use of water fed poles but the water company has since specified the following exemption: “Any person whose business was in existence before 15 March 2012 and whose income is solely dependent on cleaning:

• private motor-vehicles;
• walls or windows at domestic premises;
• paths or patios; or
• other artificial outdoor surfaces may use a hosepipe for these purposes.”

For full details on restrictions and exemptions in all of the affected areas, visit: www.direct.gov.uk/en/ Nl1/Newsroom/DG_201641