Upcoming hosepipe ban — rule-breakers face up to £1,000 fine

YORKSHIRE Water is enforcing a hosepipe ban to save water and increase reservoir levels — after rainfall dropped by more than a third of the long-term average between March and July.

The ban will come into force on Friday, August 26, as temperatures during August and September are still set to be higher than normal. 

The ban affects anyone who is a Yorkshire Water customer, and carries a risk of fines up to £1,000.

It will bar people from: 

• 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 using a hosepipe 

• 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. 

Customers can still carry out these activities if they use water from a bucket or watering can, or use water that is not sourced from the mains such as grey water, rainwater from a water butt, or private boreholes.

A spokesperson said: “Yorkshire Water has the power to implement a temporary use ban under the Water Industry Act 1991 (Section 76) as amended by the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. 

“We hope that residents and businesses will respect the upcoming ban, but if you fail to do so Yorkshire Water has the ability to enforce and issue a personal fine of up to £1,000.”

Anyone receiving clean water services from Yorkshire Water is affected by the ban. If you are unsure, check your postcode on the company’s website here: https://bit.ly/3dMMBuR. 

The spokesperson added: “We are urging those who have questions around the hosepipe ban to read the frequently asked questions on Yorkshire Water’s website before calling our control room. 

“If you repeatedly see someone using their hosepipe, you can report them to Yorkshire Water’s customer service team. Please do not report this via the police. 

“Please note that we are extremely busy and are asking you to think before you call, and source the information you need from the links provided.”