South East Water to expand coverage of water restrictions

South East Water became the first water company to introduce water restrictions this year when it applied them to customers in Kent earlier this month, but the rules will also apply to customers in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire from Saturday.

The company blames lower than average rainfall, continued hot weather, and high demand for the expansion of restrictions, while river levels fall and some groundwater sources are need of protection.

Several other water companies in England have also introduced water restrictions for their customers, including Southern Water,South West Water and multiple companies in the East of England.

Landscaping impacts

In England and Wales, the power to introduce water restrictions is given to water companies in Section 36 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and expanded on in the Water Use (Temporary Bans) Order 2010.

Broadly, these laws allow water companies to ban various domestic uses of a hosepipe, with specific exemptions for commercial and other non-domestic uses.

However, they also provide a degree of flexibility and are open to interpretation, so it is always worth contacting the relevant water company if you are unsure on the legality of a specific use.

South East Water has published a useful FAQ page on its website, addressing the most common scenarios for landscapers and clients.

For instance, the ‘commercials, schools and farms’ section of the FAQ page says that newly laid domestic lawns can be watered using a hosepipe for 28 days, but only where:

• It is not reasonable to use a watering can
• The turf was laid before the ban started
• Watering takes place between 10am and 5pm or 9pm and 8am

Landscapers can also use a hosepipe to water trees, whips, saplings, and hedging planted in the last three years and before the ban, but again only where it is not reasonable to use a watering can.

If you need further clarity on what is and is not permitted under the restrictions, please contact South East Water directly.

Looking ahead

BALI will continue to monitor developments and communicate any further droughts and water restrictions to members and, in turn, their clients.

Meanwhile, our policy team is renewing efforts to secure greater flexibility for landscaping under water restrictions as well as a more consistent approach across water companies.

For instance, BALI recently joined forces with the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) to write a letter to the water minister, Emma Hardy MP, calling on the government to improve the way water restrictions are implemented and communicated.

BALI has previously discussed the benefits of sustainable garden design, rainwater harvesting systems, and water solutions more broadly.