Southern Water applies for further water restrictions

Southern Water, one of England’s major water companies, has asked the government for permission to introduce further water use restrictions, having already introduced a temporary use ban (TUB – formerly known as a hosepipe ban) in July.

Further restrictions would constitute a non-essential use ban (NEUB) and be focused on limiting the use of water by businesses rather than households, increasing the impact on the landscaping sector.

The full range of potential restrictions are detailed in The Drought Direction 2011, but they include watering outdoor plants on commercial premises, filling or maintaining a pond, and suppressing dust.

However, applying for an NEUB is no guarantee of it either being granted or implemented, and we would expect Southern Water to produce guidance for sectors like landscaping well ahead of the restrictions coming into force.

It is also worth noting that the further restrictions would only apply to Southern Water customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, leaving those in Kent and Sussex under existing TUB restrictions.

The news comes shortly after drought was declared in further parts of England, following a meeting of the National Drought Group, meaning 71% of the nation has now been given official drought status.

Meanwhile, the BBC is reporting that Anglian Water – which serves seven million customers across the East of England – is also considering the introduction of an NEUB but has yet to make an application.