Hosepipe bans are in place around the UK, following periods of extreme heat, dry weather and increased demand.
But while restrictions apply to most households, some people are still allowed to use a hosepipe under specific exemptions.
According to South East Water, the Priority Services Register allows certain individuals to continue using a hosepipe. This includes people who may need extra help with their water supply due to age, a health condition, a disability, or a temporary change in their situation.
"The restrictions mean that you should not use hosepipes for watering gardens, washing cars, patios and boats and for filling swimming and paddling pools," says the team at South East Water.
"We completely understand why everyone reaches for the hose when the weather gets this hot. It's natural to want to enjoy our gardens and keep cool, and we know how frustrating it is to hear that restrictions are coming into place."
Below, we have listed the various exemptions. From watering a garden for health and safety reasons to filling a fountain if it oxygenates a fishpond, take a look at the reasons you may be able to continue using your hosepipe. Please note, you will have to apply for an exemption online.
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Category one exemption includes:
- Blindness
- Chronic/Serious Illness
- Dementia
- Development Conditions
- Dialysis
- Partially Sighted
- Physical Impairment
- Restricted Hand Movement
- Temporary Hospital Recovery
- Unable to answer the door
Under a category two exemption, the two activities below are also exempt:
- Health and safety
- Animal welfare
- Business need
- Recycled water use
- New lawn
- Trickling irrigation system
- Commercial watering
- New swimming pool
- Religious practice
Meanwhile, Southern Water also explains that certain circumstances allow households to continue using hosepipes.
This includes:
- Blue Badge holders and customers on the Priority Services Register for medical or mobility reasons
- Watering a garden for health or safety reasons (e.g. sports pitches' active playing areas)
- Cleaning a private motor vehicle using a hosepipe if it's a public service or goods vehicle
- Watering plants if plants are grown for sale, part of a National Plant Collection, or a temporary garden/flower display
- Filling a domestic swimming or paddling pool if it is during construction, using a handheld container, for medical or veterinary treatment, for decontaminating animals, if used to keep aquatic animals, filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe, if used to keep aquatic animals
- Watering new turf
- Watering food crops at domestic premises or private allotments
- Cleaning walls/windows for health or safety reasons
- Filling a fountain if it oxygenates a fishpond
- Watering standard urban trees
- Drip or trickle irrigation systems
For more information, visit your local water company's website for further details on how to apply for an exemption.
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Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
