Hosepipe ban exemptions

The ban does not apply if:

• you need to use a hosepipe to protect human health and safety
• you need the water for animal welfare, including pets, livestock and fish
• the water you’re using is not from the mains supply (it’s taken from a water butt or other recycled water storage system).

Customers with medical or mobility needs who are physically unable to use a watering can or bucket safely are exempt.

This includes customers with the following needs and conditions:

• physical impairments, restricted hand movement and temporary post-hospital recovery situations
• requirements for stairlifts, hoists or electric beds
• respiratory conditions that require the use of a ventilator, oxygen concentrator or oxygen
• other chronic or serious illnesses such as Parkinsons, MS, MND, cancer, stroke, organ failure or severe arthritis.

If you're not already on our Priority Services Register and have any of these conditions, you can apply for Priority Services.

The ban does not apply to:

• gardens used to protect the health and safety of people and animals
• sports pitches and surfaces where watering is necessary to prevent playing surfaces from becoming dangerously hard
• turf that has been laid within the last 28 days
• trees, hedges and saplings planted within the last three years, where it is not feasible to use a watering can
• trees on urban streets where there is no grass
• commercial food crops grown for sale
• temporary garden or flower displays created for public viewing
• food crops grown at home or at a private allotment, where using a watering can is not feasible
• large-scale tree planting by a council and/or charitable/voluntary organisation
• using an irrigation system that drips or trickles, with a time and pressure-reducing valve, that delivers water directly to soil
• food crops grown at home or at a private allotment, where using a watering can is not feasible.

Vehicles used for public services, business purposes or transporting goods, including the following, are exempt:

• buses and taxis
• agricultural vehicles
• military vehicles
• emergency service vehicles
• hearses
• recovery vehicles
• catering and mobile shops
• goods vehicles and any vehicle over 3.5 tonnes.

You may use a hosepipe to fill a water tank in a caravan or motor home for washing, cooking or sanitations.

The ban does not apply if you:

• clean the boat as part of a business or professional service
• clean the boat for health and safety reasons
• use the boat as your primary residence
• fill a water tank to be used for washing, cooking or sanitation purposes
• clean the boat to make it more fuel efficient
• can only clean the engine using a hosepipe
• need to clean the boat to prevent or control the spread of non-native and/or invasive species.

You can fill a pool, paddling pool or hot tub if:

• it is under construction and needs to be filled as part of its construction
• you use a bucket or other container to fill it
• it is filled using a water recycling system that does not use mains water
• it is designed for medical or therapeutic use
• it is needed for medical or veterinary treatment or animal welfare
• it is used as part of a religious ceremony in a place of worship or community setting.

You can use a hosepipe if you are cleaning outdoor surfaces for health and safety purposes.

This includes:

• patios
• paths
• driveways
• walls
• windows
• garden furniture
• other outdoor surfaces.

You can use a hosepipe for:

• filling a pond that serves as an animal's primary source of drinking water
• washing an animal when this is necessary for its health, welfare or veterinary treatment
• cleaning an animal enclosure, stable, kennel or similar area when cleaning is required to protect animal health
• cleaning water bowls, troughs and other drinking containers to maintain animal health and hygiene
• topping up ornamental or fishponds when needed to protect the health and survival of fish or other wildlife living in them.