Hosepipe Ban

Resources and discussion on the hosepipe ban, drought and water shortage

Are allotments exempt from hosepipe bans?

Yes and perhaps no.

During previous hosepipe bans it was generally accepted that allotments were exempt from restrictions due to them being public rather than private land. However, we believe [could anyone clarify this?] that certain water companies have banned the use of hosepipes and sprinklers in the past for allotments.

It has also been recently suggested by Thames Water (April 2007) that they would like to ban hosepipe use by allotment holders during future periods of water restriction.

Please use the comment box below if you can help further with this question.

Last updated: 26/04/07

2 Comments »

Adrian Says:
July 6th, 2010 at 12:25 pm

A number of people seem to refr to the Water Act 1945, although I’m sure there is more recent legislation. In there it only mentions prohibitions on car washing and watering domestic gardens. On my Council allotment we have piped water and are allowed to use hand held hoses, but not sprinklers ( I suppose the reason for this is that you could go home and leave the thing running for hors) I would suggest that the production and maintenance of healthy organic food is something that very few politicians would wish to see compromised, after all farmers can irrigate their crops. So the bottom line for me is that I will continue to use the hose when necessary to ensure that my veg and fruit provide a reasonable return for my investment in time and money. The only thing I can see spoiling it is if the Council choose to turn the supply off.
Mike Darlington Says:
July 9th, 2010 at 12:53 pm

As the fine for using a hosepipe could be as much as £1000 I’m not sure that Adrian’s advice is sound. What I want to know is what exactly is the situation. I’ve tried to get info from United Utilities web site without success. I’m on a council owned allotment and they have told us no hose pipes but are they correct to do so.