Hosepipe ban to be imposed

A hosepipe ban is to be imposed following what is believed to be the longest heatwave since 1976.

The ban (known as a Temporary Use Ban) will come into force on Sunday 5 August, and there now follows a period of time for customers to provide feedback if they believe they should be exempt.

Martin Padley, United Utilities Water Services Director, said: "Despite some recent rainfall, reservoir levels are still lower than we would expect at this time of year and, with forecasters predicting a return to hot dry weather for the rest of July, we are now at a point where we will need to impose some temporary restrictions on customers.

"It is not a decision we have taken lightly and we are enormously grateful to customers for having helped reduce the demand on our network over the last couple of weeks, but unless we get a period of sustained rainfall before 5 August these restrictions will help us safeguard essential water supplies for longer."

Whilst the ban restricts the use of hosepipes or sprinklers for watering private gardens and washing private cars, customers will still be able to water their gardens with a watering can and wash their vehicles using a bucket and sponge. These methods typically use a fraction of the amount of water a hosepipe or sprinkler uses.

The main restrictions include:

• Watering a garden and/or plants using a hosepipe.
• Cleaning a private car, van, motorbike, trailer, caravan or leisure boat using a hosepipe.
• Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming pool, paddling pool or ornamental fountain.
• Cleaning walls or windows using a hosepipe.
• Using a water from a hosepipe for domestic recreational use.
• Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe.
• Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe.

You can still use water outdoors if you:

• Use tap water to fill a bucket or watering can.
• Use grey water, which is water that’s been used before, e.g. bath water.
• Have your own water supply such as a private borehole.

 

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