Gransnet forums

News & politics

Hosepipe bans

(23 Posts)
Oreo Fri 10-Jul-26 21:09:46

In the news at the mo it’s about hosepipe bans in different parts of the country, and if hot dry weather continues it will be all the water companies.
If you’re state pension age or have a blue badge or a few other exemptions just register with your water company to tell them online.
You can then continue using your garden hose .I did this for my Mum a few years ago.

Iam64 Fri 10-Jul-26 21:10:43

Thanks Oreo,

Oreo Fri 10-Jul-26 21:32:02

Just seen there is another thread on this, with some worry about being reported by nosy neighbours, but if you are state pension age you can register as they don’t really expect pensioners to be carting heavy watering cans around, it would be beyond most if they have a good sized garden or loads of pots to water.No need to be nervous of using this exemption.

Tuliptree Fri 10-Jul-26 21:42:17

I’d never heard of this and was pleasantly surprised when I looked it up . A neighbouring water company to mine includes having children under 5 or a major life event like a bereavement . I’m lucky where I live because 85% of our water comes from underground so we’re incredibly unlikely to have a ban

friendlygingercat Fri 10-Jul-26 21:57:46

Or just do it at 4 am when its cooler anyway and the nosy buggers wont see you.

Tuliptree Sat 11-Jul-26 00:03:28

friendlygingercat

Or just do it at 4 am when its cooler anyway and the nosy buggers wont see you.

If there’s a hosepipe ban, why would you want to breach it?

Wyllow3 Sat 11-Jul-26 00:14:51

I have permission and I asked them for a letter which says I can use my hose officially if needs be. They kindly sent one.

Padstow13 Sat 11-Jul-26 00:59:50

I would imagine a universal hosepipe ban will be implemented at the very least.

In our area the weather forecast for the next 12 days shows temps in the upper twenties with little respite at night and no indication of rain.

It's the fabled 1976 summer all over again.

Dickens Sat 11-Jul-26 01:40:53

... thanks for the info Oreo smile

Calendargirl Sat 11-Jul-26 06:43:48

friendlygingercat

Or just do it at 4 am when its cooler anyway and the nosy buggers wont see you.

First to complain if the water gets turned off at certain times because of shortages.

This type of behaviour infuriates me.

A friend said yesterday that her neighbour has a swimming pool and a garden sprinkler, but all at the back ‘so no one can see anything’.

M0nica Sat 11-Jul-26 08:06:50

Calendargirl, The water companies, use light airecraft, now drones, to fly over hose ban areas. These use various technologies to react to areas of over lush greenery.

In previous hose bans people like your friend's neighbours have ended up in court and being fined for using hoses, even though the neighbours cannot see them.

Galaxy Sat 11-Jul-26 08:13:11

I am not sure I would be taken guidance on how to use water from the water companies grin

Luckygirl3 Sat 11-Jul-26 08:34:51

I am on the water company's priority register which is very useful when the water goes off, as it seems to do a lot, as they deliver bottled water to my door.
I guess I would be exempt from a hosepipe ban, although I would feel bad about using a hose during one. But very tempted as I have a pot garden.
However none in thus area so far.

M0nica Sat 11-Jul-26 08:44:34

DH has just gone out to buy the papers and found 2 packs of 6 2 litre bottles of water on our doorstep.

Fortunately there has been a discussion on a local Facebook page saying that there may be variations in water pressure as Anglian Water balance demand and bottles of water are being delivered to all households on the Priority List, otherwise I would be completely at a loss as to why they were there. I have checked my email and I haven't received one from Anglian Water, nor is there any message on my phone.

BlueBelle Sat 11-Jul-26 09:03:20

Our town uses two different water companies one has issued a ban the other hasn’t yet ( I m in the no ban (yet) one fingers crossed

shysal Sat 11-Jul-26 11:26:51

For Thames Water, being on the Priority Registry for age alone is not enough for exemption. I am 80 and have Rheumatoid Arthritis which makes carrying watering cans painful in my wrists. I have just sent an email to the relevant department attaching a hospital letter naming my diagnosis. I hope I will be successful, as I have about 100 pots to water. I wouldn't waste water with a sprinkler or hose on the lawn or beds.
There is no ban yet, but it must come soon.

Calendargirl Sat 11-Jul-26 11:55:29

M0nica

*Calendargirl*, The water companies, use light airecraft, now drones, to fly over hose ban areas. These use various technologies to react to areas of over lush greenery.

In previous hose bans people like your friend's neighbours have ended up in court and being fined for using hoses, even though the neighbours cannot see them.

Good.

Charleygirl5 Sat 11-Jul-26 12:04:37

I had no idea but my rear garden is paved and there is nothing to water expect the grass at the front and I never bother. I am with Affinity and our ban starts next week. That should bring the rain here.
Thanks Oreo

Oreo Sat 11-Jul-26 13:06:54

shysal

For Thames Water, being on the Priority Registry for age alone is not enough for exemption. I am 80 and have Rheumatoid Arthritis which makes carrying watering cans painful in my wrists. I have just sent an email to the relevant department attaching a hospital letter naming my diagnosis. I hope I will be successful, as I have about 100 pots to water. I wouldn't waste water with a sprinkler or hose on the lawn or beds.
There is no ban yet, but it must come soon.

Have you applied on the Thames Water site for your exemption? Your age and mobility problems ( wrists) will guarantee an exemption.
They say it should be updated every two years but I haven’t done that yet in my Mum’s case.

Oreo Sat 11-Jul-26 13:08:08

Charleygirl5

I had no idea but my rear garden is paved and there is nothing to water expect the grass at the front and I never bother. I am with Affinity and our ban starts next week. That should bring the rain here.
Thanks Oreo

😄you can do a happy little rain dance if it arrives.

Lovemylife Sat 11-Jul-26 13:35:17

I also have to pay two water companies, one to provide (no ban) and the other to take away (hosepipe ban). I use a handheld hose with an on/off switch to water the newer plants and tomatoes. And the hydrangeas when they droop. The grass is brown and crisp.

keepcalmandcavachon Sat 11-Jul-26 17:01:20

I feel guilty when I water my garden & guilty when I don'tsad

shysal Sat 11-Jul-26 17:01:59

Oreo

shysal

For Thames Water, being on the Priority Registry for age alone is not enough for exemption. I am 80 and have Rheumatoid Arthritis which makes carrying watering cans painful in my wrists. I have just sent an email to the relevant department attaching a hospital letter naming my diagnosis. I hope I will be successful, as I have about 100 pots to water. I wouldn't waste water with a sprinkler or hose on the lawn or beds.
There is no ban yet, but it must come soon.

Have you applied on the Thames Water site for your exemption? Your age and mobility problems ( wrists) will guarantee an exemption.
They say it should be updated every two years but I haven’t done that yet in my Mum’s case.

Oreo, thank you for your post. I went on the website to edit my existing information on the register, but the on line form doesn't allow me to add the relevant details. It gave the appropriate email address, which I have used. Automated reply says it will take 2 weeks for an answer.