Water companies across the South East region have welcomed plans to introduce clearer, more flexible and - where necessary - tougher rules on restricting water use during droughts.

The new measures being proposed by Government will go a long way to removing the anomalies that emerged during the 2004 – 2006 drought, largely as a result of outdated legislation.

All those water companies involved in the two-year-drought have actively lobbied Government about the urgent need to redress this issue.

Now, following extensive consultation, the Government is proposing to replace the previous hosepipe ban legislation, which was limited to only the use of hosepipes for washing private cars and watering private gardens, with a ‘discretionary use’ ban.

This will expand the range of prohibited hosepipe uses to include, amongst others, operating ornamental fountains and cleaning patios, and the filling of swimming pools and hot tubs, either by hosepipe or through permanent plumbing.

Whilst the new discretionary use ban will continue to concentrate predominantly on domestic water customers, all gardens and hard standings will also be included in the new ban.

The law relating to hosepipe bans dates back some 60 years and so does not take account of modern lifestyles and increased water use in the home and garden today.

Our customers were justifiably exasperated that things like jet washing of patios, and even the filling of swimming pools,  were  still  allowed  at  a  time  when they couldn't use hosepipes in their gardens, or for car washing. The obvious discrepancies in the current rules also undermined the incredible goodwill and restraint we relied on during the severe drought.

The proposed changes to the legislation are long overdue and will help deliver clear guidance on what is covered by a hosepipe ban, adequately reflecting today's modern lifestyles, while also giving water companies more flexibility to decide where and when a hosepipe ban needs to be introduced.

Further information is available in the PDF file: Comparison of existing water use restrictions with proposed new arrangements