Hosepipe ban: See the list of exemptions from the ban in place from Friday

Southern Water will be enforcing Hosepipe restrictions (temporary use ban) from this Friday 5th August 2022.

As reported by News OnTheWight there will be a number of restrictions in place preventing the use of hosepipes. However, in some cases there are exceptions, such as being able to use a hosepipe to water your garden if you are a Blue Badge holder, or if you’re watering a newly-laid turf.

See below for the full list of exemptions as reported by Southern Water – correct as at time of publishing.

Watering a garden using a hosepipe
You may not water your garden using a hosepipe – this includes to water food crops at domestic premises or private allotments.

Exceptions – you may use a hosepipe to water your garden if:

you’re using a hose for health and safety reasons (the definition of ‘garden’ includes ‘an area of grass used for sport or recreation’ – only the active playing area, not the entire ground)
you’re a Blue Badge holder
you’re using an approved drip or trickle irrigation system fitted with a pressure reducing valve (PRV) and timer

You may apply for our approval to use a hosepipe if:

you’re watering an area required in connection with a national or international sports event
you need to use a bowser or lance for health and safety reasons (e.g. working at height)
you’re watering a newly-laid turf (for the first 28 days)
you’re on our Priority Services Register

Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe
Exceptions – you may water plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe if:

the plants are grown or kept for sale or commercial use
the plants are part of a national plant collection or temporary garden or flower display
you’re a Blue Badge holder
you’re using an approved drip or trickle irrigation system fitted with a pressure reducing valve (PRV) and timer

You may apply for our approval to use a hosepipe if:

you’re watering a newly-laid turf (for the first 28 days)
you’re watering newly-bought plants (for the first 14 days)
if you are on our Priority Services Register for reasons relating to reduced mobility

Cleaning a motor vehicle using a hosepipe
You may not clean a motor vehicle using a hosepipe. This includes using a pressure washer.

Exceptions – you may clean your motor vehicle with a hosepipe if:

it’s a public service vehicle (as defined in section 1 of the Public Passenger vehicles Act 1981)
it’s a goods vehicles (as defined in section 192 of the Road Traffic Act 1988)
you’re a Blue Badge holder

You may apply for our approval to use a hosepipe if:

you’re using a hose to clean a motor vehicle as part of a business
if you are on our Priority Services Register for reasons relating to reduced mobility

Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe
You may not clean a private leisure boat using a hosepipe. This includes removing graffiti, unless as part of a service to customers.

Exceptions – you may clean a private leisure boat using a hosepipe if:

you’re cleaning any area of a private leisure boat which, except for doors or windows, is enclosed by a roof and walls
you’re using a hose for health and safety reasons
it’s for commercial cleaning
the vessel is a primary residence
fouling is causing increased fuel consumption
the boat’s engine is designed to be cleaned with a hosepipe

You may apply for our approval to use a hosepipe if:

you’re using a hose to prevent or control the spread of non-invasive species

Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool
Exceptions – you may fill or maintain a domestic swimming or paddling pool if:

it is necessary in the course of the pool’s construction
you use a hand-held container which is filled with water drawn directly from a tap
the pool is designed, constructed or adapted for use in the course of a programme of medical treatment
the pool is used for the purpose of decontaminating animals from infections or disease
the pool is used in the course of a programme of veterinary treatment
the pool is used to rear fish or other aquatic animals, or keep them in captivity
you’re filling or maintaining a pool which has religious significance

Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use

There are no exceptions

Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe
Exceptions – you may fill or maintain a domestic pond using a hosepipe if:

the pond is used to rear fish or other aquatic animals, or keep them in captivity
you’re a Blue Badge holder
you’re using an approved drip or trickle irrigation system fitted with a pressure reducing valve (PRV) and timer

You may apply for our approval to use a hosepipe if:

if you are on our Priority Services Register for reasons relating to reduced mobility

Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain
Exceptions – you may use a hosepipe to fill or maintain an ornamental fountain if:

you’re filling or maintaining a water feature which has religious significance

Cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe
You may not clean walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe. This includes removing graffiti, unless as part of a service to customers.

Exceptions – you may clean walls or windows of domestic premises using a hosepipe if:

you’re using a hose for health and safety reasons
you’re a Blue Badge holder
it’s for commercial cleaning

You may apply for our approval to use a hosepipe if:

you’re using a hose as a service to customers or as part of a business
if you are on our Priority Services Register for reasons relating to reduced mobility

Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe
You may not clean paths or patios using a hosepipe. This includes removing graffiti, unless as part of a service to customers.

Exceptions – you may clean paths or patios using a hosepipe if:

you’re using a hose for health and safety reasons
you’re a Blue Badge holder
it’s for commercial cleaning

You may apply for our approval to use a hosepipe if:

you’re using a hose as a service to customers or as part of a business
if you are on our Priority Services Register for reasons relating to reduced mobility

Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe
You may not clean artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe. This includes removing graffiti, unless as part of a service to customers.

Exceptions – you may clean other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe if: