Thames Water hosepipe ban: What you can’t do from this week

Due to a high demand of water during the driest spring in years, three official heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures, the water company has introduced a Temporary Use Ban.

All customers it supplies with drinking water are affected by the hosepipe ban, which will come into effect at 12.01am on Thursday, July 23.

READ MORE: Thames Water announces hosepipe ban starting this week

During a hosepipe ban, all customers are prohibited from using a hosepipe or pressure washer to water their garden, lawn or allotments.

Hoses also cannot be used to fill a paddling pool, swimming pool or hot tub, or used as a sprinkler.

Jet washers are also prohibited, and hosepipes or pressure washers cannot be used to clean vehicles, patios, paths, driveways, walls, windows or any outdoor areas.

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However, households are still allowed to keep plants and gardens watered with a watering can, use rainwater collected in a water butt, wash your car using a bucket and collect and reuse water from the home, such as leftover water from cooking vegetables or washing produce, to water plants.

Some Thames Water customers will be exempt from the hosepipe ban, including Thames Water wastewater only customers, those who need it for people’s health and safety or the welfare of animals, some business services and activities, watering food crops and newly planted trees, and priority services customers who cannot reduce their water use because of disability or medical condition.