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Anglian Water Hosepipe Ban Restrictions 2012

Updated 26/03/2012

This is the statement Anglian Water have made regarding their hosepipe ban water restrictions starting on April 5th 2012.

We will now use this page as the definitive guide on Anglian Water’s restrictions and exemptions. Please therefore refer back here if you have seen something contradictory on another part of our site which may have been written when other rules applied.

You may comment or ask questions using the comments box at the bottom of this page.

Anglian Water’s statement:

What can’t I do when I’m on a hosepipe ban?

  • Watering a garden using a hosepipe.
  • Cleaning a private motor-vehicle 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, except by using a hand held container filled directly from a tap.
  • Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use.
  • Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe, except where fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity.
  • Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain, except where an ornamental fountain is in a fish pond.
  • 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.

What am I still allowed to do?

  • Use a hosepipe in a garden or for cleaning walls or windows of domestic premises, paths or patios, a private leisure boat or an artificial outdoor surface, where such use is necessary for health and safety reasons;
  • Use a hosepipe in the course of a business to clean a private motor vehicle, or for cleaning walls or windows of domestic premises, paths or patios or an artificial outdoor surface, where this is done as a service to customers
  • Use a hosepipe to water a garden attached to a domestic dwelling or to water plants on domestic premises by people with severe mobility problems or who hold a current Blue Badge issued by their local authority.
  • Use a hosepipe to water an area of grass or an artificial outdoor surface used for playing sport or recreation (but not for any ancillary use), where this is required in connection with a national or international sports event only.
  • Use of drip or trickle irrigation watering systems fitted with a pressure reducing valve and a timer, that are not handheld and which place water by drip directly onto the soil surface or beneath the soil surface, without any surface run off or dispersion of water through the air using a jet or mist.

Are there any exemptions to the hosepipe ban?

There are some exemptions:

  • Non-domestic horticultural or agricultural activity.
  • Any activities that are necessary for health and safety reasons (i.e. necessary to remove or minimise any risk to human or animal health/safety or prevents/control the spread of causative agents of disease).

What is the definition of a garden?

A ‘garden’ includes all of the following:

  • A park.
  • Gardens open to the public.
  • A lawn.
  • A grass verge.
  • An area of grass used for sport or recreation.
  • An allotment garden.
  • An area of an allotment used for non-commercial purposes.
  • Any other grass space.

Contact details here: Anglian Water Contacts

150 replies on “Anglian Water Hosepipe Ban Restrictions 2012”

Questions are now closed for this section as the same questions have been answered many times. Please look through the previous questions and read the rules written at the top of the page.

If one member of a household has a Blue Badge and another member of the same household is able bodied (ie, husband or wife), does the exemption apply to this household?

What’s the position where there are 2 adults sharing a property and only one is a blue badge holder (the other is their husband / carer). is he allowed to use the hose or only the blue badge holder?

A water leak was reported to Anglia Water. months ago.!!

On the approach road into Morrison’s Wellingborough, water has been flowing down the road. into the drain,
We all have been threatened with a £1.000 fine for using a hosepipe,?????

How do I find out if the hosepipe ban is in force where I live? Is there a search I can do with my postcode? (NG22 0UU)

We are unable to give advice on post codes that may be affected. Please contact your local water company.

I welcome the ban; it should have been imposed 6 years ago when I first noticed important local rivers were dry, even in winter.
I currently save our bath/shower water in a water butt and want to use a hose to transfer it down a slope to another water butt in the vegetable garden. Is that allowed under the regs?

Can I use a hosepipe to fill the fresh water tank of my campervan:

a) at home

b) on a campsite

Sorry for the double click on my last question.

At home I have an irrigation system which has some runs using the trickle devices and some have tiny sprinklers. Are these acceptable?

Not with sprinklers no. Full definition of what you can use can be found higher up this page.

Whislt I am aware that berthholders cannot clean their boats using hosepipe is it ok for them to:
Clean the decks using a container filled at the tap?
Use hosepipe or container to fill their freshwater tanks?

Hi,

we have a local cricket pitch near us and they usually have a hose running 24/7 all through the summer months (it only stops when they are playing cricket ((obviously))
Will they still be able to do this as its a dusgusting waste?

Hi,

I have recently slipped 3 discs and have had a back operation, and am unable to carry heavy watering cans backswards and for across my garden to water the couple of flower beds that I have. Can I just check, would I be able to use a hose to fill the watering cans by the beds and turn the flow off once each watering can is full. I.E. bringing the water to the area needed by hose, in order to fill watering cans to water the garden??

Many thanks.

Hi, i grow my own veg, will i be able to water them with a hosepipe, the patch is a little big to water with a can…

Does this mean hosepipe fixed to the mains, or hosepipe fullstop.

How about if I place a large container under the outside tap, then put a waterbutt pump in it and wash the car with that?

Hi We are not supplied by anglia water, our water comes through a dyke thing and is then cleaned in a depot behind us and then electronicaly pumped to our house…yes a bit of a weird set up, so to make that clear we do not have a water supply on a mains !!
does the hoes pipe ban still apply to us ,and if it does who would fine us if we choice to use our hose pipe, as we have no water company !

Hi Kel

I can’t see how you could be stopped from using a hosepipe if this water isn’t supplied by a water company. Might be best to clear it up with them though.

We are Newmarket Town Council and we have flower beds and hanging baskets in our Town which we water Can we continue to do this or do we have to let them all die please ? We water public flowers only and we have no contact with private householders .We operate a commercial service to maintain our Public and legal commitments as a Town Council under the 1972 Local Government Act

Hi Warwick

You’ll need to speak to Anglian Water directly about this, but based on the rules available, you wouldn’t be able to do this.

What’s most surprising is that water companies haven’t spoken to town councils as you’re not the first to ask.

Hi hose
I have horses and usually wash them after exercise with a hose pipe.
Is this still allowed?

Hi Michelle

Hosepipes can be used for animal welfare issues, though the water company might suggest you use buckets for that task. Probably best to contact them.

Hi Vera

As long as it can be seen to be a health and safety issue or even animal welfare issue, yes you can do that.

I have spent the last 6 months rearing herbs and veg plants in preparation to sell at a local market. I am not a registered business but any watering from a hosepipe is ultimately for the benefit of commercial purposes…am I exempt or do I have to be a registered business?

Hi
I have three dogs who tend to use the garden as a toilet. My garden is pathed so i tend to wash down the area with a hose to keep it clean. Do you think this is a health a safety issue so therefore an exemption?

Hi James

What you have to think about is if you could convince the water company that it’s a health and safety issue. If so, you’re OK.

I’m a blue badge holder a reading the cans / cants and also the qu’s and ans above am I right in that I can water plants etc as long as I do it myself, but what about cleaning the car, there is no mention of this, am I allowed to do this myself with a hose or am I expected to carry buckets or watering cans from the hose to the car? This would really do me a lot of favours as I am an amputee and carrying anything heavy is nigh on impossible.

Hi Gary

Yes you can water the garden yourself but not wash your car with a hosepipe. Personally I’d phone them and see if they can do anything else for you.

Can you clarify the position regarding ponds. During the summer months my water levels drop due to evaporation. Can I use the hose to top up to ensure the fish are living healthily, or have I got to top up with buckets?

Hi Steve

You can top up a pond with a hosepipe if it has animals (of some sort) living in it.

Hi Mary

No you can’t, it’s classed as a motor vehicle. Can be done with buckets though.

Hi I have just had my whole lawn turfed what do i do as it needs watering every day and i cant use a bucket!!!

we clean drives/roofs as a business though usually use customers water/our hose pipe ,this ok?

Hi Mark

Not easy to say where roofs are concerned. You’ll need ask Anglian Water for clarification.

Hi,
I have heard that we will still be allowed to use a hosepipe to fill Motorhomes Fresh Water Tank.Is this true?

Hi Laurence

We believe that to be true but are awaiting clarification.

what is the definition of a private motor vehicle,as we have a buisness van owned by a partnership which has to be kept clean

Will my husband be allowed to clean his van as its used to sell fresh seafood from?

Hi Angie

As long as it’s a company van owned by a business, he can clean it with a hosepipe/pressure washer.

My wife is crippled with arthritis registered disabled and qualifies for blue badge.
She has a hydro spa pool due to be installed to help improve her health/mobility
Would she be able to fill it with hose pipe?

Hi Jonny

Although no water company specifies an exemption for something this specific, it’s difficult to see how it wouldn’t be allowed. Please contact your local water company to see what they say.

Hi Steve

This has been allowed in the past but as Anglian Water don’t specify if this is still OK you should contact them to ask.

We live within the Anglian water region, however all our water is sourced from a well. We don’t pay water rates. Are the hose pipe restrictions applicable to us?

Hi Jonathan

Another tricky one. On the face of it it should be a yes from me but there are some occasions when water companies still don’t allow you to use hosepipes. Please contact them for their opinion.

WATER WATER EVERY WHERE, BUT NOT A DROP TO SHARE….. UNLESS OF COURSE YOU HAVE A BUCKET…
I HEAR BUCKET SALES WILL BE UP THIS YEAR!! LOL

Hello Hose,

I like quite a few of your other above enquirers have recently seeded new grass, and I see that people are able to make use of a submersible pump. I have a storm water drain that runs at the front of my house into the river , will I be allowed to put the submersible in the storm water drain to water my garden?

Hi David

Not so sure about that if it’s feeding into the river. I’d be tempted to say yes, but would prefer if you contact the water company instead for their answer.

Blue Badge/mobility exemption only applies if there are no “fit” persons living in the home

I’ve just lifted, divided and re-planted perennials and ferns (some of which are rare/choice plants) and watering in hot weather is essential for root development and also prevents plants from reaching permanent wilting point.
Spent a lot of money on soil preparation so the ground holds onto water more effectively. I’m a professional horticulturalist and will not be wasteful or happy if I lose any of my treasured plants!
What do you suggest?

Hi Lisa

If it’s part of how you earn a living you may be allowed to continue. May be best to ask advice of water company.

I am supposed to be having my garden re-turfed at the end of April, do you think I should put this off or wait and see if the hosepipe ban is lifted by then as obviously it will need watering.

Hi Sarah

We’re not in a position to give you such advice, though the bans are likely to last for months and currently no exemption is being given for watering new lawns with hosepipes.

Can you have water pouring into a bucket and than have a submersible pump in that bucket pumping through a hosepipe to water my plants (not for business)??

Hi Joe

You couldn’t have a flow of water from your tap into your bucket, no.

All our local marinas provide hosepipes on their pontoons. Presumably boat washing (other than for a specific H&S purpose) will not be permitted, but what about filling the boat’s domestic water tank, water from which is used for normal household purposes ie drinking, washing up, handwashing etc. iread somewhere on th Anglian Water site that caravans will be allowed to fill their water tanks using a hose pipe- is this also specifically allowed for leisure boats?

Hi Rick

No cleaning of private boats with hosepipes but OK to fill with water.

Hi I am also a mobile Valeter but when i phoned Anglian water they said to me that i was not aloud to draw water from my house or customers houses? Also could i have a tank in my van and use that would that be ok? If i was to fill it from Commercial place would i have to prove that??
Thanks

Hi Mark

Another grey area I’m afraid. They say in their rules that you can wash private cars in the course of a business but don’t say you can’t take the customer’s water.

I guess all you can do is as you suggest, filling a tank and somehow being able to prove it was from commercial premises.

Im a mobile Valeter i use client power and water to carry out this service whats the rules on this??

Hi Daniel

If you look further up this page under “What am I still allowed to do?” it tells you that you are still able to carry out your business are normal.

Should i get stopped what do i do?

Show a business card or something.?

Im always in uniform.

I imagine the person challenging you would request certain details from you to prove you are a business. Not sure what those would be though.

“Use of drip or trickle irrigation watering systems fitted with a pressure reducing valve and a timer, that are not handheld and which place water by drip directly onto the soil surface or beneath the soil surface, without any surface run off or dispersion of water through the air using a jet or mist.”

Can I use a ‘soaker hose’ on my veg plots connected to a hose and my outside tap via a timer? Looking at the above rule I would say this is ok, as it will be on a timer, will be pressure controlled (soaker hose) and will drip water direct to soil.

Thanks.

Hi Neil

Tricky one as soaker hoses have been banned in the past, though this year’s rules are quite different with regards irrigation systems. Probably best to contact Anglian if in doubt.

Is it ok to use a 12v powered garden sprayer, it has its own tank that can be filled with buckets, if I read the rules correctly this is ok even though it has its own clear plastic hose between the tank and spreayhead. It will NOT be connected to the mains supply, just filled with buckets.

Hi Hose

In Anglian region will we be allowed to water plants in pots & baskets eg tomatoes in the greenhouse with a hose or is this also banned? I read in the comments elsewhere on the website that watering pots is still ok but there doesn’t seem to be anything specific either way on the Anglian rules

Hi Jan

As you say, nothing specified either way in their rules and based on what’s been allowed elsewhere we assume pots, containers and baskets can all be watered with a hosepipe. Might be worth contacting Anglian Water directly though.

Hello Hose

I am planning to lay a new lawn for a lcient this week and it has been in the pipe line for a month or so now. I have heard and read that new lawns can be watered for 28 days. I am a little confused when it states above:

There are some exemptions:
â– Non-domestic horticultural or agricultural activity

Strictly speaking it is horticultral activity as it is my living to maintain peoples gardens. I can understand that watering or plants isn’t allowed ans can be done by a can or bucket and the owners will be doing this as normal but a new lawn that i am paid to lay and look after yet it is the front garden of a property makes me a little confused!
I also believe the client is over the age of 65 and so am i worrying fo no reason? If i were to water it on here behalf, is that breaking the rules or If a neighbour or passer by saw her watering it and were to complain to the council, would they send someone out to investigate causing her unnecessary grief when she is entitled to?

Thanks Nick

Hi Nick

The 28 days thing has not been verified, it was just a proposal, though you should ask the water company directly and they may allow this for you. Same with the over 65 thing “ not automatic under Anglian Water.

Hi there Hose
Can you tell me how to find out which areas are covered by the ban. I am at DN22 0HU

Hi Biddy

Which water company are you with? They often have post code checkers on their website.

What a crock of (you know)!!!

You cant use a hosepipe for certain tasks but you can use a bucket or watering can. Well that stupifies the point of a hosepipe ban.

Using a bucket to fill a pool uses the same amount of water.It just means its harder work.
Using a watering can to water veg or flowers means you will use probably less water. So thats fine. Exemption if disabled holding a blue badge. Certain disabled people cant get blue badges, but they will have to cart water around in a bucket.
Using a bucket to wash a car is a reasonable measure.
Using a hosepipe if it means you are in danger of breaching Health and Safety Legislation, is acceptable. But still a joke, because you can still use a bucket.

Sorry Anglian Water, the rules are about as sensible as a chocolate fireguard.

At our bowling club we have a automatic watering system it runs for 20 minutes a night, sending out a jet of water from four pop up sprinkler heads. The water tank for this system is filled from the metered mains. Are we still allowed to use it during the hosepipe ban ?

Many thanks
Bob

Hi Bob

Based on Anglian’s rules written above, no you would not be able to use such a system. An alternative would be an irrigation system of the type approved above. I suspect irrigation systems wouldn’t be much good for most sports facilities though.

So can I fill swimming pool using bucket from tap? Absolutely assurd wen pay 60 pound a month bill!!!!

Hi, the Anglia water rules say no filling of paddling pools and domestic swimming pools. Can one fill a hot tub ?

Hi Brian

I would suggest they class a hot tub the same as a swimming pool, but you’d need to ask them to clarify.

I have a hosepipe that is attached to the wall underneath my outside tape, can
I fill my watering can by letting the water come through the hose pipe as Im not sure I will
be able to get my can underneath the tap?.

Hi Caz

Traditionally (during a ban) you can fill a watering can from a small length of hosepipe, though Anglian Water’s rules say nothing about filling containers from a full length hosepipe.

Hi

Well I have just asked Anglian water whether I can fill my watering can via a hosepipe which is attached to the wall and also right underneath the outside tap , Anglian water said NO I can not do this……. how stupid it that! I can fill my watering can via the tap if I can get to it, but not via the hosepipe, !!…. am I not using the same amount of water in my can whether I use it straight from the tap or whether it flows from the attached hosepipe…. stupid Anglian water board, get with the real world, what does it matter how I fill a can , its the same amount of water isin’t it?
Also you can not water your pots or hanging baskets via a hose. just thought I would share this with the rest of the world!.

I am a voluntary greenkeeper at our village bowls club. Will it still be possible to water our bowling green

Hi Keith

No, the rules laid out by Anglian Water state that only sports facilities used at national and international levels can be watered during the hosepipe ban.

my neighbour is now filling her 12 ft by 12ft pool up just wondering if we are in the hose pipe ban area, nr268pu

Hi Hose,

I have a water butt fitted with a submersible pump, can my outside garden tap be used to replenish the water butt level!

The outside water supply pipe is push fit plastic and has a tap fitted, therefore no part of the system is a hose pipe.

The water from the tap goes straight into the top of the water butt, It’s designed to catch any over spill / leaks when filling watering cans.

Could you also let me know if a soaker hose can be used in the Anglia region if connected to a water butt!

Do soaker hoses have to have pressure reducing valves and electric timers irrespective of taking water from a water butt or the mains!

Hi Robert

Anglian Water’s rules (above) don’t say you can’t do as you suggest with your water butt. This includes the use of a soaker hose connected to it.

However we think they might take issue if anyone were to run a tap continuously into a water butt and at the same time run a hosepipe from that, though again, it’s not explicitly stated.

Hi,

Could you please tell me what is actually defined as a hosepipe? It may sound an odd question but I have approx 1 1/2 ft of hose on an outside tap. I use it to fill a watering can without having to hold it up to the tap. I’m hoping common sense will prevail?

Thank you

Hi Sean

Not an odd question at all. In previous years it’s been deemed OK to have a short piece of hose attached to your tap to allow the filling of watering cans and such like. Hard to find a specific definition this year but we are sure you’ll have no trouble using the set up you have.

Hi,

I relentlessly try to save water & haven’t used a hosepipe for over 12 years. However, I had my lawn re-cultivated & seeded just before I heard about the ban! It cost me a fortune & isn’t established yet so, again just before the ban, I bought a hosepipe & sprinkler. Now I can’t use them & I’m likely to lose my new lawn.

You frequently say that using a hosepipe not connected to the mains is ok. For example you have told Kat “You could use any method that doesn’t need a hosepipe connected to mains water. Certain pressure washers can pull water from a bucket for instance.”

Does this mean I am allowed to use a submersible pump, connected to my hosepipe, into my old well? Or perhaps use a pressure washer to do a similar thing to draw the water up? This would not be connected to mains water but I am seeking clarity because the rules listed at the top state “Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use,” is not allowed.

Alternatively, could I use a roll of flexible plastic “push-fit” plumbing pipe instead of a hosepipe? Or would that still be defined as a hosepipe? Even if I couldn’t attach it to the sprinkler then it would help.

I am in the Anglian Water area. Thanks. Ray.

Hi Ray

First of all you should contact Anglian Water and ask if they can give you a limited time exemption until your lawn has ‘taken’ properly. They have the power to help in this way if they wish. We are aware that the landscape gardening industry have been lobbying for a period of 28 days exemption for new lawns and await the outcome of that.

Drawing water from your well with a pump is allowed.

I think you might run into problems with the push-fit plumbing if you effectively want to use it as a hosepipe.

Looking at the maps on TV it looks like we’re outside the hosepipe ban area but could I just check – post code NG22 0UX

Hi,

I guess a “garden” will also include an area used for growing vegetables, although not specifically included above. I suppose we could always sell some of the veg and become “non-domestic” horticultural!

Hi Bryan

Yes a garden includes vegetable patches and allotments. These can in fact still use a hosepipe if the produce is being sold as part of a business, so you’re not far off the truth!

Hi Jo

No, unless it’s the type that can suck from a bucket/water butt. Not allowed if it’s connected to a tap.

Hi Hose, thanks for your reply

[quote]…..as long as it’s the disabled person using the hose.[/quote]

Unfortunately the extent of the disability makes it near impossible for her to use the hose so as she is too disabled the garden will suffer, excellent and well thought through solution by those who worked out the rules of the ban.
No doubt they would say the next year she can use her state pension to replant her garden, and if not she may well stare at the bare land or altenratively at a TV set as she is housebound. 🙁

Hi Jane

Don’t give up yet! Contact Anglian Water and tell them the situation, they may help.

Hi, I am conscious of the need to save water and, for the past couple of years I have been recycling our bath water to use in our large garden.

To do this I drop a submersible pump into the bath water and pump it to various water butts placed around our garden,

Now here’s the rub – it seems that, even though I am going to great lengths to conserve water, I shall be unable to use the hosepipe to move grey water from my bath into the garden.

Is my interpretation correct, or does the hosepipe ban only apply to hoses that are connected to the public supply?

Regards

Mick

Hi Mick

You are perfectly entitled to move your grey water around this way during a hosepipe ban. The ban only relates to connecting to the mains.

Many thanks for your prompt response. It is great news to know that common sense will prevail

How long will this be in place?
I can fill my daughters paddling pool in the warmer month if I place it under the tap as long as I dont actually use a hosepipe? (same amount of water will be used???)
Thanks

Hi Louise

Probably all summer and possibly longer. Under Anglian Water rules you can fill it any way you wish except with a hosepipe.

Hi Hose & Louise…That clearly doesn’t make sense??? I assumed that a hosepipe ban was a general term for ‘saving water’ yet i can fill up my swimming pool with a bucket but not a hose. Where am i saving water?

just another valid point… you state that hoses can be used for ‘grey water’ ie pumping from a bath tub etc and that the rule only applies to connecting to the main domestic water supply (to Mick below) yet i would clearly be allowed to attach my ‘bucket’ to the water mains all day long?? once again i think this defeats the object of saving water, i am probably not alone with this thought so a good explanation is needed here. In days gone by a hosepipe ban meant SAVE WATER in any possible way you can such as flushing less or using washing up water/bath water to flush etc etc etc…

Hello,

I’m just wondering if I can refill the water butts with the hosepipe once we’re run out of rainwater?

Thanks

Just wondering, paddling pools, fountains etc. are specifically banned but which restriction are water butts covered by?

Hi,

One of points listing what is still allowed states:

“Use a hosepipe to water a garden attached to a domestic dwelling or to water plants on domestic premises by people with severe mobility problems or who hold a current Blue Badge issued by their local authority.”

Does it apply to watering that garden if the dwelling is occupied by the disabled person and other adults ? or just when disabled people live alone?

Thanks

Hi Jane

Our understanding is that this exemption is purely to enable a disabled person to use a hosepipe themselves. Doesn’t matter about who lives with them as long as it’s the disabled person using the hose.

I have horses in a field by my home. I normally fill their water butts using a hose pipe across the single track lane. Is this still permissable or do I have to carry buckets of water?

Hi Carol

You can still use your hosepipe for that as it’s an animal welfare issue.

Are you Spanish? I’m wondering about the coincidence of you name being Hose and posting something about hosepipe bans!!!

Hello,
I need to get my back garden re-turfed as we have removed some old plants and weeds etc and there are other areas which need repairing. Obviously (and please correct me if I’m wrong) if you lay new turf, this needs to be watered otherwise the roots can’t bed. What would be your suggestions on watering this? Could I use a Pressure Sprayer?

Many Thanks

Hi Kat

You could use any method that doesn’t need a hosepipe connected to mains water. Certain pressure washers can pull water from a bucket for instance.

Can you water plants with a watering can and can you wash a car using a bucket in Anglian water area? And a pond with fish stock can pond levels be maintained?

Hi there
Did I hear correct on the local news that a ban was not going to effect cambridge ?

I have been advised that as we are on a water meter the hosepipe ban does not apply. Is that true. Originally householders were encouraged to change to a water meter because they would be exempt from the ban.
Your answer would be appreciated. We are a very careful household with water using only a small amount per week.

Kind regards

Sheila Castle

Hi Sheila

We believe that is not true and that the hosepipe ban applies as usual. We’ve not heard this from any water company. You may wish to ask your local water company yourself to be sure.

I’m a mobile car valeter cleaning about 10 cars a week. So reading the above I can still carry on working and don’t need to do anything?