Temporary Use Ban
On 5 August 2022, we introduced a Temporary Use Ban (TUB) in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight for everyone who has their water supplied by us in those areas. At the same time, we applied to the Environment Agency for a Drought Permit on the River Test – a vital source of fresh water for South Hampshire – to allow us to continue to take water if levels continued to drop.
The Temporary Use Ban was removed on 4 November 2022. This is because river flows increased to levels where a TUB was no longer deemed necessary. However, we must continue to do all we can to save water to help our rivers recover and avoid further restrictions in the future.
Drought restrictions - how is the water in my area affected?
In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, much of the water we supply for our customers comes from local rivers. If the river levels drop, there’s less water to go around – so last summer we had to introduce drought restrictions, known as a Temporary Use Ban (TUB).
The current situation in Hampshire
The River Test and Itchen are vital sources of fresh water for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. River flows are currently healthy, due to above average rainfall across the winter and spring. But we must always be mindful of how much water we use to help preserve these precious habitats and ensure there remains enough water to go around. Especially if we experience another dry, hot summer.
All areas that were affected by the TUB
We still need to save water where we can
Despite lifting the TUB, we must continue to be mindful of the amount of water we are using, and limit water use, where possible, to help our rivers recover and protect the precious local habitats that rely on them.
Fortunately, saving water is easy. Just a few small changes to our daily routines can make a big difference, and could help save you money on your bills too.
Head to our How to save water page for tips and advice on how to save water in the home and garden, as well as more information on what we’re doing to find and fix leaks on our network.
Find out more about TUBs, and the impact this might have on you by clicking on each phase below.
Phase
No restrictions
What happens during this phase?
We continue carrying out our ordinary water-efficiency and leak-reduction activities.
What are you restricted from doing?
You can use water as normal.
Phase
Before restrictions
What happens during this phase?
We're preparing for drought.
South Hampshire relies on the River Test for much of its fresh water. To protect the river and the wildlife it supports, we recently agreed new licenses which control how much water we can take for our customers.
River flows are dropping. If they continue to fall, we will have to introduce water restrictions to reduce the amount we take from the river.
What we'll do:
- Boost our work to find and fix leaks
- Promote ways to save water and advertise water-efficient products
- Use media to raise awareness that a drought is coming
- Work with partner organisations to plan ahead
- Apply ‘drought mode’ to our water sources – for example, taking more water from rivers and reservoirs in the winter to allow underground sources to recover for the summer
What are you restricted from doing?
You are not restricted from doing anything yet, but you can help by reducing how much water you use in and around your home.
For water-saving ideas, take a look at our top water-saving tips.
Phase
Hosepipe restrictions (temporary use ban)
What happens during this phase?
We plan for this stage after:
Two dry winters
Aquifers and reservoirs come under pressure. Restrictions are usually needed at this point.
When a drought is declared we will take further actions to save and supply water, including introducing the first stage of restrictions – Temporary Use Bans.
Actions we will take
- Bring forward schemes to get extra water
- Put our regional drought strategy in place
- Apply for drought permits to abstract more water where it is available
- Increase supplies of water we get from neighbouring water companies
- Reduce the amount of water we share with neighbouring water companies
- Continue all previous supply activities
- Plan for the possibility of a third dry winter
Have any questions?
What are you restricted from doing? (click each for more information)
Watering a garden or allotment using a hosepipe
You may not water your garden or allotment using a hosepipe.
Exceptions - you are automatically exempt, and may use a hosepipe to water your garden or allotment if:
- you're watering food crops at domestic premises or private allotments
- 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 for reasons relating to reduced mobility
Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe
Exceptions - you are automatically exempt, and 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're watering 'standard' trees planted in the last three planting seasons that cannot reasonably be hand-watered or watered with non-potable water. A 'standard' tree is a tree with a single stem with clear trunk (no side branches) for at least 1.8m above the ground.
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 are automatically exempt, and 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
Exceptions - you are automatically exempt, and 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
- you're removing graffiti, if part of a service to customers
Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool or hot tub
Exceptions - you are automatically exempt, and you may fill or maintain a domestic swimming or paddling pool or hot tub 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 are automatically exempt, and 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 may apply for our approval to use a hosepipe if:
- if you are on our Priority Services Register for reasons relating to reduced mobility
- if you are filling and topping up of a pond by fixed and buried pipes
Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain
Exceptions - you are automatically exempt, and you may use a hosepipe to fill or maintain an ornamental fountain if:
- It is in or near a fish-pond and whose purpose is to supply sufficient oxygen to the water in the pond in order to keep the fish healthy.
You may apply for our approval to use a hosepipe if:
- you’re filling or maintaining a water feature with features of 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 are automatically exempt, and 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
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 are automatically exempt, and 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 are automatically exempt, and you may clean other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe if:
- you're using a hose for health and safety reasons
- you're a Blue Badge holder
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
Phase
Drought order restrictions
What happens during this phase?
We plan for this stage after:
River flows continue to drop
In South Hampshire, most of our water comes from the River Test. If the flow continues to drop, we will have to take even less water. While the river recovers, we will explore alternative water sources. In the meantime, additional restrictions will be needed.
What we’ll do:
- Source as much water from neighbouring water companies as we can
- Request new or extended drought permits to take more water from existing sources
- Apply for drought orders to source more water from unused sources or sensitive locations
- Do everything we can to reduce leaks
What are you restricted from doing? (click each for more information)
Watering outdoor plants on commercial premises
Watering the following plants on commercial premises using a hosepipe:
- plants which are in a pot or other container that is outdoors or under
cover - plants which are in the ground
under cover.
Exceptions
The purpose specified does not include watering plants that are:
- grown or kept for sale or commercial use; or
- part of a National Plant Collection or temporary
garden or flower display
Filling or maintaining a non domestic swimming or paddling pool
Filling or maintaining a swimming or paddling pool other than a domestic swimming or paddling pool within the meaning of section 76(2)(e) of the Act(a).
Exceptions
The purpose does not include:
- (a) filling or maintaining a pool that is open to the public;
- (b) filling or maintaining a pool where necessary in the
course of its construction; - (c) filling or maintaining a pool using a hand-held
container which is filled with water drawn directly from a
tap; - (d) filling or maintaining a pool that is designed,
constructed or adapted for use in the course of a
programme of medical treatment; - (e) filling or maintaining a pool that is used for the
purpose of decontaminating animals from infections or
disease; - (f) filling or maintaining a pool that is used in the course
of a programme of veterinary treatment; - (g) filling or maintaining a pool in which fish or other
aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity; - (h) filling or maintaining a pool that is for use by pupils of
a school for school swimming lessons.
For the purposes of (a), a pool is not open to the public if it may only be used by paying members of an affiliated club or organisation.
Filling or maintaining a pond
Exceptions
The purpose does not include:
- (a) filling or maintaining a pond in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity;
- (b) filling or maintaining a pond using a hand-held container which is filled with water drawn directly from a tap.
- (3) The purpose specified in sub-paragraph (1)(b) does not include filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe.
Operating a mechanical vehicle washer
Operating a mechanical vehicle washer, whether automatic or not.
Cleaning any vehicle, boat, aircraft or railway rolling stock
Cleaning any vehicle, boat, aircraft or railway rolling stock using a hosepipe.
Exceptions
Cleaning any vehicle, boat, aircraft or railway rolling stock for health or safety reasons.
Cleaning non-domestic premises
Cleaning any of the following using a hosepipe:
- (a) any exterior part of a non-domestic building other than a window;
- (b) a non-domestic wall
Exceptions
Cleaning of any exterior part of a non-domestic building or a non-domestic wall for health or safety reasons.
Cleaning a window of a non domestic building
Cleaning a window of a non-domestic building using a hosepipe other than for health or safety reasons.
Exceptions
Cleaning a window of a non-domestic building using a hosepipe for health or safety reasons.
Cleaning industrial plant
Cleaning industrial plant using a hosepipe other than for health or safety reasons.
Exceptions
Cleaning industrial plant using a hosepipe other than for health or safety reasons.
Suppressing dust
Suppressing dust using a hosepipe other than for health or safety reasons.
Exceptions
Suppressing dust using a hosepipe other than for health or safety reasons.
Operating cisterns
Operating a cistern in any building that is unoccupied and closed.
Phase
Lifting restrictions
What happens during this phase?
We’ll lift restrictions on water use and continue our ordinary water-efficiency and leak-reduction activities.
For a period, we’ll carry out activities to raise awareness about water sources.
What are you restricted from doing?
You can use water as normal.