Whilst hot spells hit the UK, how will a hosepipe ban affect you?
- carolineblake-syme
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
We appreciate that there are no full bans in most of the water authorities where our members live, but thought this might be a useful article for your information.
Water companies issue Temporary Use Bans (TUBs)—commonly known as hosepipe bans—it’s easy to feel the squeeze on how you care for your garden or outdoor spaces.
However, there is an essential, often overlooked part of these regulations: disabled people, those with long-term health conditions, and individuals on priority registers are widely exempt.
Here is what you need to know about hosepipe bans across the UK, why disability exemptions exist, and how to make sure you’re covered.
What a Hosepipe Ban Actually Means
When a regional water authority implements a hosepipe ban, the law prohibits standard domestic uses of a hosepipe, such as
Watering lawns, flower beds, or potted plants
Washing private cars or motorbikes
Cleaning patios, paths, or outdoor furniture
Filling or topping up domestic paddling pools, hot tubs, or ponds
For most households, the rule is simple: you can still water your garden, but you have to carry a watering can or bucket instead.
Why Disabled People Are Exempt
Carrying a heavy watering can full of water back and forth across a garden is a physically demanding task. For people living with chronic pain, limited mobility, fatigue, or balance conditions, lifting and carrying buckets isn't just inconvenient—it poses a genuine health and safety risk.
Water companies recognise this distinction. The goal of a drought restriction is water
conservation, not physical strain or injury.
If you cannot safely carry a watering can or bucket due to a disability or health condition, you are legally permitted to continue using a hosepipe for essential domestic tasks like keeping your garden alive or cleaning immediate safety hazards.
Who Automatically Qualifies for an Exemption?
While exact wording can vary slightly by water company, the standard exemptions typically cover:
Blue Badge Holders: If you or someone in your household holds a Blue Badge, you are automatically exempt from hosepipe restrictions.
Priority Services Register (PSR): Customers registered on their water provider's PSR for medical, physical, or mobility needs are exempt.
WaterSure Tariff Customers: Households on a WaterSure tariff due to high medical water needs (e.g., conditions requiring frequent washing, such as Crohn's or skin conditions) carry automatic exemption status.
Therapeutic or Medical Needs: Hosepipes used to fill pools or equipment specifically required for medical treatment or hydrotherapy are exempt regardless.
Key Rule of Thumb: If you cannot make "reasonable adjustments" (like using a bucket or watering can) due to a health condition or age-related mobility issue, the restriction does not apply to you.
How to Access Your Exemption
In most cases, you do not need to apply for explicit permission if you fall under an automatic category (like holding a Blue Badge or being on the PSR).
However, taking a couple of quick steps gives you peace of mind:
Get on the Priority Services Register (PSR): Every UK water company maintains a free PSR. Joining ensures your supplier knows you need extra support during outages or restrictions.
Keep proof handy: If a neighbour or passerby questions your hosepipe use during a ban, having your Blue Badge or PSR confirmation letter accessible helps quickly clear up any misunderstanding.
Check local guidelines: Visit your specific water supplier’s website (e.g., Thames Water, Southern Water, Anglian Water, Yorkshire Water) and look up their Temporary Use Ban FAQs to confirm exact local wording.
A Note on Responsible Water Use
Exemptions exist to keep people safe and ensure accessible enjoyment of outdoor spaces. Water providers still encourage exempt households to use water mindfully where possible—for instance, using trigger nozzles to prevent runoff or watering early in the morning when evaporation is lowest.
If you or a family member has a disability, don't feel guilty about using a hosepipe during a drought. The exemption is there for a reason: accessibility matters, even in a heatwave.
Check on the situation in your area.
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