Hosepipe bans and the 2026 heatwave: the rules, the fines, and how to cut your water bill

Published 21 July 2026 · 5 min read

After an exceptionally dry spring and a run of record-breaking heat, water restrictions are spreading across parts of England. If you're wondering whether a hosepipe ban applies to you, what you can and can't do, and whether it will affect your bill, here's a plain-English guide.

The quick version Restrictions vary by water company. Some suppliers have brought in Official Temporary Use Bans — the legal term for a "hosepipe ban" — while others, including Thames Water, are so far only asking customers to cut back voluntarily. Always check your own supplier's website, because the rules and dates differ from company to company.

What's actually happening

The trigger is the weather. Thames Water reports that this spring was far drier than usual — April brought only around 20% of the region's average rainfall — followed by record temperatures in May and June. During June's heatwave, demand hit 3 billion litres of water a day. To put everyday use in perspective, the company notes a hosepipe or sprinkler can use up to 1,000 litres an hour — about the same as 25 people each taking a four-minute shower.

Because of that surge in demand, Thames Water is asking customers not to use hosepipes or sprinklers during heatwaves to keep enough water flowing for essential use. Importantly, at the time of writing that is a voluntary request rather than a formal, legally enforceable ban.

Voluntary request vs an official ban — what's the difference?

A Temporary Use Ban (TUB) is the formal, legal restriction most people call a "hosepipe ban." It's made by a water company under the Water Industry Act 1991, and breaking it is a criminal offence that can carry a fine of up to £1,000. A voluntary appeal, by contrast, asks you to help but carries no penalty.

Several suppliers have moved to official bans during this hot spell — for example South East Water across much of Kent, Southern Water in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and Cambridge Water — while others are still at the "please cut back" stage. So the first thing to do is check exactly what applies where you live.

What a hosepipe ban typically covers

Where an official ban is in force, the exact wording is set by each company, but these uses are usually restricted:

Usually not allowed with a hosepipe Watering a garden or plants; washing a private car or boat; filling a paddling pool, swimming pool or hot tub; cleaning paths, patios, windows or the outside of your home; filling an ornamental fountain or pond.

Usually still allowed Watering with a watering can or bucket; using water for cleaning where it's essential for health and safety; and, in many cases, exemptions for registered-disabled or Blue Badge customers and certain businesses. Exemptions vary by supplier — check yours.

Will it affect your bill?

This is where it matters for your money, and it depends on how you pay for water:

On a water meter: you pay for what you use, so using less water directly lowers your bill. Cutting back on hosepipes, sprinklers and long showers during a heatwave can genuinely save you money.
Unmetered (rateable value): you pay a fixed charge regardless of how much you use, so saving water helps the supply but won't change this year's bill.

If you're a low user — for example a small household with no garden — switching to a meter can sometimes reduce your bill. Most companies let you request a meter for free and offer a trial period, though whether it saves money depends on your usage.

Simple ways to use less water

Thames Water's own suggestions for cutting use — helpful whether or not a ban applies — include:

Water plants in the early morning or late evening, and let lawns go golden (grass recovers quickly).
Swap the hose for a watering can, and reuse paddling-pool or washing-up water on plants.
Keep a jug of water in the fridge instead of running the tap to get it cold.
Use the eco setting on washing machines and dishwashers, and wash the car with a bucket rather than a hose.

Many suppliers, including Thames Water, also offer a free online water-saving calculator and give away free water-saving gadgets.

Watching every bill this summer? See our guide to the VAT cut on electricity bills, or work out your budget with the Take-Home Pay Calculator.

Sources
Thames Water — Water and dry weather update
The Independent — Hosepipe ban map: where restrictions are in place
Legislation — Water Industry Act 1991 (temporary use bans)

This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Hosepipe restrictions are set by individual water companies and change quickly during hot weather — the details above are as reported on 21 July 2026 and may not reflect the exact rules where you live. Always check your own water supplier's website for what applies to you, including any exemptions and the penalties for breaking an official ban.