Oxford, Gloucester, Swindon & Reading, Temporary Hosepipe Ban
What is happening?
A hosepipe ban will be in place from 22 July
From Tuesday 22 July, we’re bringing in a hosepipe ban (also known as a Temporary Use Ban) in parts of the Thames Valley. Affected postcodes include all of OX, all of GL and all of SN, plus RG4, RG8 and RG9 in our water supply area, as shown on the map below.
Why this is happening
This year, we had one of the warmest and driest springs in over a century. River and reservoir levels are lower than normal for this time of year, and we’re now officially in the Environment Agency’s prolonged dry weather category.
A hosepipe ban can help protect the environment in our region and keep water flowing for everyone.
At the moment, restrictions only apply to the area supplied by Farmoor Reservoir. This is because the reservoir fills from the River Thames, and these could dry up quickly without more rain.
What this means for you
You can see the restrictions opposite, along with exceptions.
Please don’t use hosepipes for watering gardens, filling paddling/swimming pools and hot tubs, or cleaning vehicles, windows, and patios. The ban also applies to sprinklers and jet washers.
What we’re doing
Leakage is at its lowest ever level since records began, but we’re not stopping there. We’re fixing 550 leaks every week, targeting the biggest leaks first. We’re also rolling out smart devices across our region to help find leaks.
Limited mobility or on our priority services register?
If you have limited mobility or are on our priority services register under certain circumstances, the ban may not apply to you. Please check the exemptions 12 and 18 listed opposite. If you’re not on the register, you can sign up at thameswater.co.uk/extracare
Every drop counts more than ever before.
Find out more at thameswater.co.uk/water-restrictions
Can’t get online? Please call our drought helpline on 0800 072 1083
WATER INDUSTRY ACT 1991
TEMPORARY BAN ON WATER USE WITHIN PART OF THE THAMES WATER SUPPLY AREA
Thames Water Utilities Limited
Thames Water Utilities Limited (“Thames Water”) gives notice that, pursuant to powers contained in sections 76 and 76A of the Water Industry Act 1991 (“the Act”), the following uses of water supplied by Thames Water, whether supplied by Thames Water but billed by others or when supplied on behalf of Thames Water, are prohibited.
The prohibition will start at 00:01 BST on Tuesday the 22nd of July 2025 and will continue until further notice. The prohibition applies to the following postcode areas in so far as they fall within the Thames Water supply area: OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8 and RG9 as illustrated in blue on the map overleaf.
Prohibited Uses
The following uses are prohibited:
Watering a garden using a hosepipe;
Cleaning a private motor vehicle (and trailers) using a hosepipe;
Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe;
Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe;
Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool;
Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use;
Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe;
Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain;
Cleaning walls or windows of domestic premises using a hosepipe;
Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe;
Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe.
Please note that prohibition in 4, 5 and 8 apply to all forms of filling, including fixed or permanent plumbing, the intention or point of connection, unless an exemption under the above activities applies. Even in cases of partial filling, customers can use water but not through a hosepipe or via a permanently plumbed-in fixture with a hose or similar. This includes automated or fixed plumbing from a water butt through a hosepipe, or private boreholes where hosepipes are used.
Exemptions
The following uses are excepted from the prohibitions. Those who meet the requirements below can continue to use water without having to make representations to Thames Water to receive permission.
Involving water, it is requested that everyone use water wisely and adopt water efficient practices.
Health and Safety: Using a hosepipe to (a) water gardens, (b) to clean paths or house fronts, (c) to clean vehicles and windows of domestic premises, (d) to clean paths and patios to reduce risks from slip hazards or harmful matter for reasons of health or safety and includes removing substances minimising risk to humans or animals' health or safety and prevents spreading or causing unpleasant odours or diseases. These are not intended for use as general use or recreation; this exception only applies to the activities named.
Using hosepipe to water plants that are (a) grown or kept for sale or commercial use, or (b) that are part of a National Plant Collection or temporary garden or flower display.
Using a hosepipe to fill or maintain a large leisure boat which, except for short stays, is occupied as a home and used as a primary residence.
Filling or maintaining a pool where necessary in the course of its construction.
Filling or maintaining a pool using a hand-held container which is filled without water drawn directly from a hosepipe.
Filling or maintaining a pool that is designed, constructed or adapted for use in the course of a programme of medical treatment.
Filling or maintaining a pool that is used for the purpose of decontaminating animals from infections or disease.
Filling or maintaining a pool used in the course of a programme of veterinary treatment.
Filling or maintaining a pool in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity.
Using a hosepipe to fill or maintain a domestic pond in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity.
Using a hosepipe to fill or maintain an ornamental fountain which is in a fishpond with fish or aquatic life.
People with severely mobility problems (whether they had current Blue Badge for ease of access to their vehicle or not), patients in hospitals, hospices or where disabled people or those with mobility limitations are unable to carry out the task.
Using a hosepipe to fill a water tank in a caravan or motorhome where the water is used for drinking, cooking or sanitation purposes.
Where the use is in filling a swimming pool, paddling pool, hot tub, swim spa or exercise spa that is filled structure from empty after construction or significant refurbishment. Once it has been certified that the hosepipe cannot be used for any other use other than this, then no significant refurbishment must be needed as the exception does not include water for normal use.
Using a hosepipe to water food crops at domestic premises or private allotments, where the crop is grown to be consumed by watering only.
Using a hosepipe to water a garden or to water plants on domestic or other non-domestic premises where the garden or plants are watered for the purpose of growing food to be consumed.
Representations
Any representations concerning any of these prohibitions must be made by 23:59 BST on Friday 18 July 2025 to Thames Water by either completing the online form at www.thameswater.co.uk/water-restrictions or by calling 0800 072 1083 or by writing to: Water Resources, PO Box 436, Swindon SN38 1TU.
If, after considering any representation, Thames Water decides to vary any terms of the prohibition notice, an updated notice will be published. Subject to this, the prohibitions will have effect from 00:01 BST on Tuesday the 22nd of July 2025 and will remain in force until further notice.
Penalties
Any person who contravenes any of these prohibitions may be guilty of an offence, and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000.
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