Temporary Use Ban (TUB) update
Six water companies have now applied to introduce temporary restrictions on the use of water in all or part of the regions they manage.
The official name for these restrictions is Temporary Use Ban, but are frequently referred to as Hose Pipe Ban by the media. The effect of these bans is the temporary restriction of water use by domestic and some non-domestic users. The restrictions are generally introduced following a period of low rainfall, as has been the case this year.
Which water providers have announced or implemented Temporary Use Bans?
Southern Water
From 00:01 on Friday 5th August 2022
Areas covered: Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Link to company page: https://www.southernwater.co.uk/drought-restrictions
South-East Water
From 00:01 on Friday 12th August 2022
Areas covered: Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire
Link to company page: https://www.southeastwater.co.uk/about/updates/tubs
Welsh Water
From 19th August 2022
Areas covered: Pembrokeshire and small area of Carmarthenshire
Link to company page: https://www.dwrcymru.com/en/drought
South West Water
From 23rd August 2022
Areas covered: Devon and Cornwall and in small areas of Dorset and Somerset
Link to company page: https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/advice-and-services/save-water/hosepipeban/
Thames Water
From 24th August 2022
Areas covered: Greater London, Luton, the Thames Valley, Surrey, Gloucestershire, north Wiltshire, far west Kent
Link to company page: https://www.thameswater.co.uk/help/water-restrictions
Yorkshire Water
From 26th August 2022
Areas covered: West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire, part of North Lincolnshire, most of North Yorkshire and part of Derbyshire
Link to company page: https://www.yorkshirewater.com/your-water/is-there-a-hosepipe-ban/
What are the terms of the Temporary Use Ban?
Full details of the powers granted to water suppliers under a Temporary Use Ban are detailed in The Water Use (Temporary Bans) Order 2010 which can be viewed for free on legislation.gov.uk (see Further Reading section of newsletter).
Whilst the guidance contained within The Water Use (Temporary Bans) Order 2010 is detailed, the restrictions issued by individual water providers varies slightly between area. In addition, many water companies also grant voluntary, area-specific exemptions for certain users of water.
Are landscape contractors affected by Temporary Use Bans?
In most cases, no. Water companies permit businesses to use water without restriction, providing the use of water is directly related to that business. For this reason, water companies permit commercial landscape contractors to use water to ensure the establishment of new trees, plants or turf on any commercial site or project. This guidance has been confirmed by all water providers.
The only restriction placed on landscape contractors by some water companies, is where water is applied with a hose on new plants or freshy laid turf in a domestic garden for a domestic client. In this instance water companies have limited landscape contractors on their use of water. These restrictions are in the region of 14 – 28 days from the date at which planting was undertaken and varies depending on water supplier. Full details of these restrictions are available using the links below each water provider on the previous page.
Further reading:
