Is There a Hosepipe Ban in Sussex? Your Essential Guide

Introduction
Sussex’s lush landscapes—from the rolling South Downs to coastal gardens—rely on ample water for irrigation, cleaning and recreation. Yet after the driest spring since 1893 and record summer heat, water companies face dwindling reservoir and river levels. Several suppliers that serve Sussex areas have introduced or are monitoring Temporary Use Bans (TUBs), commonly known as hosepipe bans. This guide explains which company covers your part of Sussex, whether a ban is in force, what activities are restricted, who is exempt, and how to prepare and conserve water.

1. Water Suppliers in Sussex

Sussex is served primarily by three companies:

• South East Water covers nearly all of East Sussex and West Sussex—from Hastings and Eastbourne across to Chichester.
• Southern Water serves pockets of West Sussex around Worthing, Littlehampton and the Arun Valley.
• SES Water supplies small northern fringes near Crawley and East Grinstead.

Your ban status depends on which supplier bills your postcode.

2. What Is a Temporary Use Ban (TUB)?

A TUB is a legally enforceable restriction under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 that prohibits non-essential outdoor uses of mains water through hoses or sprinklers—such as garden watering, vehicle washing, patio cleaning and filling non-recirculating pools—when water resources fall below critical thresholds.

3. South East Water: Ban from 18 July 2025

South East Water announced its TUB on 11 July 2025, which came into effect at 00:01 on 18 July 2025 across its entire Sussex supply area. Under this ban, you cannot use a hosepipe for:

• Watering lawns, decorative gardens and non-food allotments
• Washing cars, boats, caravans and other vehicles
• Cleaning patios, paths, driveways and garden furniture
• Filling or topping up non-recirculating pools and water features

Hand-watering with cans and buckets remains allowed. Exemptions cover health & safety, animal welfare, essential food-crop watering and hoses fed solely by rainwater butts.

4. Southern Water: No Active Ban Yet

In its Sussex zones, Southern Water has not imposed a hosepipe ban in 2025. The company continues to monitor reservoir and river levels daily and urges voluntary water-saving measures—leak checks, rainwater harvesting, shorter showers—to help avoid the need for formal restrictions.

5. SES Water: Exempt Area

SES Water, covering small areas around Crawley and East Grinstead, has no hosepipe ban in place. Its drought plan remains at a monitoring phase with voluntary conservation appeals but no mandatory TUB.

6. Exemptions & Essential Uses

Even under any TUB, the following uses remain permitted:

• Health & Safety: Firefighting, dust suppression, infection-control cleaning
• Animal Welfare: Watering livestock, domestic pets or fish
• Food Production: Hand-watering edible crops on allotments where hose use isn’t practical
• Rainwater Systems: Hoses connected exclusively to rainwater harvesting tanks or butts

No special application is needed for these essential exemptions.

7. Penalties for Non-Compliance

Breaching a TUB can incur:

• Fixed Penalty Notice: Up to £100 issued on the spot
• Court Fines: Up to £1,000 upon prosecution
• Enforcement Actions: Possible disconnection of hosepipe fittings

Suppliers encourage reporting suspected breaches via their customer hotlines.

8. How to Check Your Status

1. Postcode Checker: Use the “hosepipe ban” section on your supplier’s website to confirm your local status.
2. Account Alerts: Sign up for email or SMS drought updates through your online account.
3. Official Channels: Follow your water company’s social media and local news bulletins for announcements.

9. Preparing for Restrictions

• Harvest Rainwater: Fill butts now for future hand-watering.
• Install Drip & Soaker Hoses: Connect to stored rainwater for efficient irrigation.
• Delay Non-Essential Washing: Postpone car washes, patio cleans and pool top-ups.
• Fix Leaks Promptly: A single dripping tap can waste up to 30 L a day—repair immediately.

10. Long-Term Water-Saving Habits

• Mulch Beds Generously: Retain soil moisture and reduce evaporation.
• Fit Tap Aerators: Lower flow without losing pressure for domestic tasks.
• Choose Drought-Tolerant Plants: Lavender, sedum, rosemary and ornamental grasses thrive with minimal watering.
• Monitor Meter Usage: Track daily consumption to spot spikes and leaks early.

Conclusion
In Sussex, South East Water customers are under a hosepipe ban from 18 July 2025, while Southern Water and SES Water zones remain ban-free but under voluntary saving appeals. By checking your supplier, understanding banned activities and exemptions, and adopting water-wise practices, you can comply with any restrictions, avoid penalties, and help safeguard water supplies for your community.

Top 10 Questions & Answers

1. Is Sussex under a hosepipe ban right now?
   Yes—for areas served by South East Water (East & West Sussex) from 18 July 2025; Southern Water and SES Water areas are not banned.
2. Which company covers my Sussex postcode?
   Use each supplier’s online postcode checker: South East Water covers most, Southern Water serves parts of West Sussex, SES Water small pockets near Crawley.
3. What activities are banned under a TUB?
   Garden watering, vehicle washing, patio/path cleaning, pool filling and non-recirculating water features.
4. Are watering cans allowed during the ban?
   Yes—hand-watering with cans or buckets remains permitted for all garden and allotment uses.
5. What exemptions exist?
   Uses for health & safety, animal welfare, essential food-crop watering on allotments, and hoses fed by rainwater butts.
6. What penalties apply if I breach the ban?
   Fixed penalties up to £100, court fines up to £1,000, and possible disconnection of hose fittings.
7. Why hasn’t Southern Water banned hoses?
   Its reservoir and river levels remain above critical drought triggers, so a TUB has not been triggered there.
8. How can I prepare my garden now?
   Harvest rainwater, install drip systems, mulch generously, fix leaks, and delay non-essential washing tasks.
9. How long will the South East Water ban last?
   Until reservoirs and river flows recover above the company’s defined “red alert” thresholds; lifting dates are announced when safe.
10. Will voluntary saving help avoid future bans?
    Yes—collective conservation eases pressure on sources and can delay or prevent compulsory restrictions.