Hosepipe Ban Southern Water – Your 2025 Guide

Introduction
Southern Water serves over 2.26 million homes and businesses across Kent, East and West Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. In summer 2025, record-high temperatures and the driest spring since 1893 have depleted reservoirs and reduced river flows. To safeguard supplies for drinking, sanitation and essential services, Southern Water’s Temporary Use Ban (TUB)—commonly called a hosepipe ban—may be enacted when water stocks breach critical drought-plan thresholds. This comprehensive guide explains what a Southern Water hosepipe ban means, why and when it’s imposed, who it affects, what’s prohibited and exempt, penalties for breach, how to check your status, and practical tips to prepare and conserve water. Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner or allotment gardener, read on to stay compliant, avoid fines and contribute to water resilience this summer.

1. Understanding Southern Water’s Drought Plan

Southern Water’s Drought Plan outlines a phased response to water scarcity:

1. Normal Conditions: Ongoing appeals for voluntary conservation.
2. Preparedness (Level 1): Enhanced monitoring, leak detection and public awareness campaigns.
3. Hosepipe Restrictions (Level 2): Formal TUB when reservoirs or river flows dip below “red alert” levels.
4. Drought Orders (Level 3): Emergency measures such as standpipes or rota cuts if supplies remain critical.
5. Restoration: Gradual lifting of restrictions as stocks recover.
   A TUB is triggered only when stock indicators remain below threshold despite earlier interventions, ensuring it’s a last resort.

2. Triggers and Timing of the Ban

Southern Water continuously tracks:

• Reservoir Storage: Weekly levels at key reservoirs (e.g., Bewl, Ardingly).
• River Flows: Abstraction limits on the Test, Itchen and Sussex rivers.
• Groundwater Yields: Well and borehole outputs.
  When any metric breaches the pre-set “red alert” line—and dry forecasts predict no imminent recovery—the company announces a TUB. Public notices are issued at least one week in advance, with the ban starting at 00:01 on a specified date, typically early to mid-summer when demand peaks.

3. Areas Covered by Southern Water’s Hosepipe Ban

The TUB applies uniformly across Southern Water’s supply region. This includes:

• Kent: From Canterbury and Maidstone to Dover and Folkestone.
• East Sussex: Hastings, Eastbourne, Lewes and Rye.
• West Sussex: Chichester, Horsham, Crawley and Worthing.
• Hampshire: Winchester, Southampton, Portsmouth and the New Forest.
• Isle of Wight: All mainland supply zones.
  Businesses and residents receiving water from Southern Water within these boundaries must comply.

4. Prohibited Activities Under a TUB

Once the hosepipe ban is in force, you cannot use a hosepipe or sprinkler for:

• Garden Watering: Lawns, borders, shrubs and non–food allotment plots.
• Vehicle Washing: Cars, caravans, boats and commercial fleets.
• Hard Surface Cleaning: Patios, driveways, paths and walls.
• Pool Filling: Paddling pools, swimming pools and garden ponds without recirculation.
• Water Features: Fountains or decorative water displays not on a closed loop.
  These measures target discretionary water use and preserve resources for essential needs.

5. Exemptions and Essential Uses

Even during a TUB, the following remain permitted:

• Health & Safety: Firefighting, dust control on building sites, cleaning for infection control.
• Animal Welfare: Water for livestock, domestic pets, aquaculture and zoo exhibits.
• Food Production: Irrigation of edible crops on allotments or market gardens where hand-watering is impractical.
• Rainwater-Fed Systems: Hosepipes connected exclusively to rainwater harvesting tanks or butts.
  No individual permit is required for these exemptions—they are automatically allowed under the ban’s legal framework.

6. Penalties and Enforcement

Breaching the hosepipe ban can lead to:

• Fixed Penalty Notice: Up to £100 issued by enforcement officers.
• Court Prosecution: Fines up to £1,000 upon conviction in magistrates’ court.
• Enforcement Actions: Repeated offenders may have hosepipe fittings physically disconnected.
  Southern Water encourages customers to report suspected breaches to ensure fair compliance, with investigations focused on repeat or egregious offences.

7. How to Check Your Current Status

Stay informed of any impending or active hosepipe ban by:

1. Postcode Checker: Enter your postcode on Southern Water’s website under “Drought & Water Saving.”
2. MyAccount Alerts: Sign up for email or SMS updates through your Southern Water online account.
3. Social Media & Press Releases: Follow @southernwater on X (Twitter) and Facebook for real-time announcements.
4. Local Media: Watch regional newspapers and radio for official notices.
   Regularly checking these channels ensures you can adapt immediately when restrictions take effect.

8. Preparing Your Home and Garden

Advance preparation helps you maintain a healthy garden and avoid penalties:

• Harvest Rainwater: Install or top up water butts now to supply watering cans.
• Drip & Soaker Hoses: Fit to rainwater tanks or tubs for targeted, low-waste irrigation.
• Mulch Generously: Apply 5–8 cm of organic mulch around plants to retain soil moisture.
• Install Tap Aerators: Reduce flow rates for dishwashing and cleaning without losing pressure.
• Fix Leaks Promptly: Repair dripping taps or running toilets—each drip can waste over 30 L per day.
• Delay Non-Essential Tasks: Postpone car washing and patio cleaning until after restrictions lift.

9. Water-Saving Tips Beyond the Ban

Adopting permanent water-wise habits lowers demand and delays future bans:

• Shorter Showers: Limit to 4 minutes and install a water-efficient showerhead.
• Dual-Flush Toilets: Use half-flush where possible to reduce per-flush volume.
• Efficient Dishwashing: Only run full dishwashers and skip rinsing under running water.
• Leak Detection: Check meter readings overnight; any unexpected movement indicates a leak.
• Plant Selection: Choose drought-tolerant species (lavender, sedum, rosemary) and deep-rooting shrubs.

10. Lifting the Ban and Aftercare

Discussion of lifting the hosepipe ban begins once reservoir and river flows recover above drought-plan thresholds for a sustained period. Southern Water announces a phased rollback, allowing previously banned activities to resume. Post-ban, continue with water-saving measures to build long-term resilience: maintain rainwater systems, mulch beds annually and keep educating household members about efficient water use.

Conclusion
A hosepipe ban by Southern Water is a statutory response to protect essential supplies during severe drought. By understanding the triggers, coverage, prohibitions, exemptions, penalties, and how to stay informed, you can comply swiftly when a ban is active. Advance preparations—rainwater harvesting, targeted irrigation, leak repairs—and ongoing water-saving habits not only help you avoid fines but also contribute to the broader goal of sustainable water management. Embrace these practices now to safeguard water resources for your community, wildlife and future generations.

Top 10 Questions & Answers

1. When does Southern Water’s hosepipe ban start?
   It starts at 00:01 on the date announced—typically after stocks breach red-alert thresholds and a week’s notice is given.
2. Which areas are affected by the ban?
   All customers in Southern Water’s supply area: Kent, East & West Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
3. What’s banned during a TUB?
   Garden watering, vehicle washing, patio/path cleaning, pool filling without recirculation, and non-closed-loop water features.
4. Can I use a watering can?
   Yes—hand-watering with cans or buckets remains allowed for all garden and allotment tasks.
5. Who is exempt from the hosepipe ban?
   Health & safety, animal welfare, essential food-crop watering, and hoses fed solely by rainwater harvesting.
6. What penalties apply if I break the ban?
   Fixed penalty notices up to £100, court fines up to £1,000, and possible disconnection of fittings.
7. How do I check if my area is under ban?
   Use Southern Water’s online postcode checker, sign up for MyAccount alerts, or follow official social media.
8. What should I do before the ban starts?
   Harvest rainwater, install soaker hoses, mulch beds, fit aerators, fix leaks, and delay non-essential washing.
9. When will the ban be lifted?
   Once reservoir and river flows recover above trigger levels continuously—Southern Water announces lifting dates in advance.
10. How can I avoid future bans?
    Adopt permanent water-saving measures: efficient showers, dual-flush toilets, leak checks, drought-tolerant planting and ongoing conservation.