Essex & Suffolk - Temporary Use Ban (Hosepipe Ban)

STATUTORY NOTICE FOR A TEMPORARY USE BAN

ESSEX & SUFFOLK WATER

living water

Northumbrian Water Limited (trading as Essex and Suffolk Water) gives notice that, pursuant to Sections 76 and 76A-C of the Water Industry Act 1991 as substituted by Section 36 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, it prohibits the uses of potable water supplied by it under a Temporary Use Ban ("TUB") as set out below.

The prohibition applies to:

• all customers supplied with mains water by Essex & Suffolk Water in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and the London Boroughs of Barking, Dagenham and Redbridge

• all businesses and household who receive water from Essex & Suffolk Water through water retailers or New Appointments and Variations ("NAVs").

The TUB applies to our Essex Water Resource Zone and Blyth, Hartismere and Northern Central Water Resource Zones in Suffolk.

The full notice and details concerning the TUB restrictions, current drought conditions and water efficiency advice can be found at eswater.co.uk.

The TUB will come into force at 00:01am on Monday 3 August 2026 and shall remain in force until further notice.

PROHIBITED USES

The use of a hosepipe, including the use of sprinklers, micro- or automatic irrigation systems, pressure washers and similar devices connected directly or indirectly to the mains water supply, is prohibited for the following purposes:

A. Watering a garden using a hosepipe;

B. Cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe;

C. Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe;

D. Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe;

E. Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool;

F. Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use;

G. Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe;

H. Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain;

I. Cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe;

J. Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe;

K. Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe.

Except for prohibited uses E and H above, customers may continue to undertake these activities using water from a bucket or watering can, or using water not sourced from the public supply, including harvested rainwater, greywater or private supplies such as from a borehole. The above prohibited uses are those specified under Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991, as substituted by Section 36 of the Flood and Water Management Act.

EXCEPTIONS

You do not need to apply for an exception or notify us (Essex & Suffolk Water), if an exception applies to you.

If one of the following exceptions applies to you then you may continue to use a hosepipe for the restricted purposes where use of alternative methods would not be reasonably practicable.

A. Watering a garden using a hosepipe;

Using a hosepipe to water a garden for health or safety reasons. NB In this category, the definition of “a garden” includes “an area of grass used for sport or recreation”. Therefore, it should be noted that watering areas of grass, which are used for sport or recreation, is covered by a Statutory Exception for health & safety only in relation to the active strip/playing area, not the entire ground.

B. Cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe;

A “private motor-vehicle” does not include (1) a public service vehicle, as defined in section 1 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 (c), and (2) a goods vehicle, as defined in section 192 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (d).

C. Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe;

Does not include watering plants that are (1) grown or kept for sale or commercial use, or (2) that are part of a National Plant Collection or temporary garden or flower display.

D. Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe;

1. Cleaning any area of a private leisure boat which, except for doors or windows, is enclosed by a roof and walls.

2. Using a hosepipe to clean a private leisure boat for health or safety reasons.

E. Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool;

1. Filling or maintaining a pool where necessary in the course of its construction.

2. Filling or maintaining a pool using a hand-held container which is filled with water drawn directly from a tap.

3. Filling or maintaining a pool that is designed, constructed or adapted for use in the course of a programme of medical treatment.

4. Filling or maintaining a pool that is used for the purpose of decontaminating animals from infection or disease.

5. Filling or maintaining a pool used in the course of a programme of veterinary treatment.

6. Filling or maintaining a pool in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity.

F. Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use;

None.

G. Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe;

Filling or maintaining a domestic pond in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity.

H. Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain;

Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain which is in or near a fish-pond and whose purpose is to supply sufficient oxygen to the water in the pond in order to keep the fish healthy.

I. Cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe;

Using a hosepipe to clean the walls or windows of domestic premises for health or safety reasons.

J. Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe;

Using a hosepipe to clean paths or patios for health or safety reasons.

K. Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe.

Using a hosepipe to clean an artificial outdoor surface for health or safety reasons.

DISCRETIONARY EXCEPTIONS

Discretionary exemptions may apply to some restrictions for Blue Badge holders and customers with mobility issues who do not hold a Blue Badge. For full details, please visit eswater.co.uk.

PENALTIES

Any person who contravenes the prohibition may be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000.

REPRESENTATIONS

Representations concerning any aspect of this Temporary Use Ban may be submitted by:

Email: ESWTUB@nwl.co.uk

Post: Essex & Suffolk Water,

Sandon Valley House, Canon Barns Road, East Hanningfield, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 8BD

If Essex & Suffolk Water decides to vary any aspect of the TUB following consideration of representations, a further notice will be published. Subject to this, the TUB will take effect from Monday 3 August 2026 and remain in force until further notice.