Hosepipe bans: How will it affect you?

Hosepipe bans have been issued by seven water companies. Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Seven water companies across southern and eastern England have issued hosepipe bans that have come into effect since midnight.

Southern Water, South East Water, Thames Water, Anglican Water, Sutton and East Surrey, Veolia Central and Veolia South East have all banned their customers from using hosepipes.

Together the companies are responsible for providing water for 20 million people.

The restrictions have hit just in time for Easter weekend and anyone caught breaking the ban could face a fine of up to £1,000.

From today, around 20 million people will not be permitted to do the following:

  • Water a garden using a hosepipe

  • Clean a car using a hosepipe

  • Clean a boat using a hosepipe

  • Fill or maintain a domestic swimming pool

  • Fill or maintain a domestic pond

  • Fill a fountain

  • Hose down a path, patio or artificial outdoor surface using a hosepipe

  • Water plants using a hosepipe

There are some exceptions:

  • Sports fields that host "national or international" events are not affected

  • Some cleaning businesses, such as window cleaners and car washes, will be allowed to continue to use hosepipes

  • If it is necessary "for health and safety purposes" a hosepipe can be used to clean an outside surface

  • Drip or trickle irrigation watering systems that are fitted with a pressure valve and timer, and are not handheld, are still permitted

  • Anyone with severe mobility problems, and anyone who holds a current 'Blue Badge' issued by their local authority, will be not be subject to the restrictions

The ban comes as the Environment Agency announced that parts of Yorkshire have now officially entered a drought.

It has urged the public to do all it can to use less water.

East and south Yorkshire from Chesterfield to Scarborough are officially in drought.

They join the south-east and east of England, most of which has been in drought since late last year, although areas of East Anglia have been suffering since last summer. Click here for more coverage from ITV Anglia.

The blue lines in the map below shows the areas of south and east England currently experiencing drought.

The hosepipe ban map released by the Environment Agency Credit: Environment Agency

Many of the main rivers of south and east England are very low for this time of year, including the River Don, Rother, Hull and Derwent.

The ban means that hosepipes for domestic purposes will not be permitted. Credit: Steve Parsons

Richard Benyon, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for National Environment and Fisheries, said the ban was necessary to manage the shrinking water resources.

He described the situation as "unprecedented" for this time of year.