THOUSANDS of households are set to ditch their hosepipes this Friday, as another region is hit by a ban.
As Southern Water brings these rules into effect, many Brits will be unaware of the reasonable reasons a hosepipe can still be used.
A total of 24 towns across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are set to be hit by a hosepipe ban from a minute after midnight on Friday, July 10.
Southern Water says it was prompted by the “warmest spring on record”, and the River Test losing a third of its water supply in a month.
Residents in these areas should be aware of certain exemptions for the ban, and when a hose can be used in necessary circumstances.
It is important to remember however, that the purpose of a hosepipe ban is to prevent drought, so using water sparingly is essential.
Read more News
Gardening and outdoor maintenance
Hosepipe bans, in general terms, include use for non-essential purposes, such as watering plants, with Southern Water recommending using a watering can or bucket instead.
However, some reasons are acceptable, such as watering newly-laid turf for up to four weeks after it is installed.
Southern Water accepts this as a reason to use a hosepipe, but says: “We would hope that anyone who needs to do so would consider how they can use water wisely while doing that.”
It can also be used for watering new trees, saplings, whips and hedging that was planted within three years of the hosepipe ban start date.
Most read in The Sun
Those maintaining domestic food crops or private allotments can use a hosepipe, with the same rule in place for plants, crops, fruit and vegetables kept for commercial use.
It is important to remember that this rule does not apply to non-commercial allotments or vegetable patches, and only is permitted when a watering can cannot be used.
To make sure plants stay healthy, Southern Water recommends using shower, bath or washing up water to keep them hydrated – but advises against using it for edible crops.
Business and commercial use
Under Southern Water rules, many businesses are exempt from the hosepipe ban to avoid negatively impacting the economy and their livelihoods.
Those requiring a car wash are in luck because of this, as commercial car washes are still allowed, even if you cannot personally clean a private motor vehicle with a hosepipe.
Businesses are also permitted to use a hosepipe to clean paths, patios, and artificial grass as a service, if it is essential for health and safety.
Similarly tradespeople and builders can use hosepipes for essential construction tasks, such as mixing cement.
19 hosepipe ban loopholes that can help this summer
Hosepipe and water uses that are still permitted, even during a ban:
- Watering cans and buckets are permitted, as well as using shower, bath, or washing up water to water plants
- Hosepipes connected to recycled water storage systems can be freely used
- Watering newly-laid turf for up to four weeks – if watering can use is unfeasible
- Watering young trees, saplings, whips and hedging planted within three years of the hosepipe ban start date
- Watering domestic food crops or private allotments – if watering can use is unfeasible
- Watering plants, crops, fruits and vegetables for commercial use – if watering can use is unfeasible
- Drip or trickle irrigation water systems, fitted with a pressure reducing valve and timer, can be freely used
- You can get your car washed professionally by a business or automated car wash
- You can get your patio and paths professionally cleaned by a business, but only if it is for health and safety reasons
- Tradespeople and builders can use hosepipes for essential tasks, such as mixing cement
- Filling up a newly constructed permanent swimming pool or hot tub
- Filling pools for medical treatment, worship, or for religious ornamental fountains
- Essential purposes in motorhomes and campervans, such as washing, drinking, or flushing toilets
- Cleaning enclosed areas of a private leisure boat
- Filling up fish ponds, as well as fountains that keep aquatic life oxygenated
- Cleaning animals, such as dogs and horses, their areas, and providing them with drinking water
- When hosepipe usage is unavoidable for health and safety purposes, such as preventing the spread of diseases, and veterinary purposes
- If a person is registered to the Priority Services Register, and has certain attributes that make not using a hosepipe challenging
- If a person is a Blue Badge Holder
Leisure and water features
Filling up hot tubs and swimming pools is not permitted during the hosepipe ban, unless it is necessary for construction, and does not count for subsequent top-ups.
Water features that use recycled water can continue to be used, however, it cannot be replenished with hosepipe water.
Fish ponds and water features that supply oxygen to a pool can also be maintained with a hosepipe to make sure aquatic life stay healthy.
Exemptions also apply when a pool is used for medical treatment, is within a place of worship, or operates as an ornamental fountain for religious purposes.
Owners of motorhomes and caravans are also permitted to use hosepipes for essential purposes, such as washing, drinking, and flushing the toilet.
Those who own a private leisure boat can use a hosepipe for enclosed areas inside of it.
Health, safety and accessibility
Any hosepipe use is permitted when it concerns the welfare, safety, and health of animals, fish, and aquatic life.
You can use a hosepipe to clean animals and their areas, such as a yard or stable, and provide them with drinking water.
Usage is also accepted when it is unavoidable for health and safety, such as controlling the spread of diseases and for veterinary purposes.
Individuals registered to the Priority Services Register are also permitted to use hosepipes.
The same rule applies to Blue Badge holders.