With hosepipe bans seen in Kent as well as Hampshire and the Isle of Wight already this year, and with more heatwaves on the way in the UK, it is important to know the rules.
Hosepipe bans are put in place by utility companies, usually to tackle ongoing supply issues during spells of warmer weather.
But what can you not do under a hosepipe ban, and what are the consequences for breaking it?
There are six key rules to be aware of and important to stick to, as large fines could be issued to those ignoring them.
What can you not do during a hosepipe ban?
A hosepipe ban, officially called a Temporary Usage Ban (TUB), works to ban the use of hosepipes over a period of time.
As explained by the Consumer Council for Water, the ban stays in place until the "situation is improved" and is usually up to the discretion of the utility company.
South East Water was the first to implement a hosepipe ban in 2026, and it outlined six key things that residents must not use hosepipes for:
- Watering a garden
- Cleaning a car, trailer or private leisure boat using a hosepipe
- Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises
- Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool (including constructed, non-inflatable hot tubs)
- Filling or maintaining a domestic pond or fountain
- Cleaning walls, windows, paths, patios or other outdoor surfaces
There are often exceptions to the rules, which may differ per utility company and will be outlined on their website.
Activities such as watering your garden may be done with tap water by hand, using a bucket, or with a watering can.
What happens if you break the hosepipe ban in the UK?
If you are caught breaking a hosepipe ban, you could be fined up to £1,000 in serious cases.
South East Water explains: "We will to a large degree be relying on people’s goodwill in observing the restrictions.
"However, our customers need to be aware of the seriousness of the situation.
"We have powers to prosecute in a situation where someone knowingly ignores the restrictions and will use these powers where we think it is justified and in line with our enforcement policy."
It added: "If a customer contravenes the prohibition, it is an offence and if convicted the customer could face a fine of up to £1,000.
"However, prosecution is very much a last resort and something no company wants to have to do."
How much water should you drink daily?
Where is there a hosepipe ban in the UK?
As of the morning of Monday, July 6, there are two hosepipe bans in place.
The first was by South East Water, which covers much of the Kent region from last Friday (July 3).
A second is from Southern Water, which said that its hosepipe ban will be in place in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight from this Friday (July 10).
If you want to find out if your area has a hosepipe ban in place, first find your supplier by using Water UK's postcode checker.
From there, you can contact your water supplier or check their website for any restrictions.
Recommended reading:
- Can you use a watering can during a hosepipe ban? Temperatures set to soar
- What are the rules for hosepipe bans in the UK? Activities households must avoid
- When the next heatwave could hit the UK as 30C temperatures forecast soon
There are chances for more hosepipe bans, with other major water companies keeping situations under review.
The likes of Thames Water and Affinity Water, while having no ban in place, have urged customers to limit usage.
What do you think of hosepipe bans being put in place? Let us know in the comments.
