Portsmouth Water Hosepipe Ban: What You Need to Know

Introduction
Cornwall, Hampshire and the surrounding areas served by Portsmouth Water have seen unusually dry conditions this summer. While many suppliers have already imposed Temporary Use Bans (TUBs), better known as hosepipe bans, Portsmouth Water customers currently face no restrictions. This guide explains what a TUB is, Portsmouth Water’s supply area, the company’s current status, past drought actions, what would be prohibited under a ban, exemptions, penalties, how to check for any future ban, and practical water-saving tips.

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

A TUB is a legal restriction under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 that prohibits non-essential outdoor uses of mains water delivered through a hosepipe or sprinkler—such as garden watering, vehicle washing and patio cleaning—when water sources fall below critical levels.

2. Portsmouth Water’s Supply Area

Portsmouth Water provides drinking water to around 270,000 households and businesses across:

• Portsmouth and Gosport
• Fareham and Havant
• Parts of East Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
  This means nearly all residents and businesses in these zones look to Portsmouth Water for mains supply.

3. Current Status: No Ban in Place

Despite record-low rainfall and high demand, Portsmouth Water has not introduced a hosepipe ban in 2025. The company confirms its reservoir levels and groundwater sources remain sufficient, and it continues to monitor conditions closely while urging customers to use water wisely.

4. Past Drought Actions

• 1976 Ban: Portsmouth Water’s only-ever hosepipe ban was in 1976, reflecting extreme summer conditions (Code of Practice).
• 2012 Drought Monitoring: During the 2012 South-East drought, Portsmouth Water monitored supplies but did not need to impose restrictions thanks to sufficient resource buffers (Activity Reports).

These precedents show Portsmouth Water’s capacity to manage dry spells without recourse to bans.

5. Drought Plan and Triggers

Portsmouth Water’s drought contingency plan sets out phased responses:

1. Normal Operations: No restrictions.
2. Drought Watch: Enhanced monitoring and leakage reduction.
3. Drought Warning: Preparatory measures, customer appeals for voluntary savings.
4. Temporary Use Ban: Enforced when reservoirs or river sources fall below trigger levels.
5. Emergency Drought Orders: Extreme interventions if supplies threaten essential uses.

A formal hosepipe ban would only be enacted when all other mitigation has been exhausted.

6. What a Ban Would Prohibit

If a TUB were imposed, you could not use a hosepipe or sprinkler for:

• Garden and lawn watering
• Washing private vehicles (cars, boats, caravans)
• Cleaning patios, paths and driveways
• Filling or topping up swimming/paddling pools
• Operating non-recirculating fountains or water features

7. Exemptions & Essential Uses

Even under a ban, the following remain permitted:

• Health & Safety: Fire-fighting, dust suppression, hygiene cleaning.
• Animal Welfare: Ensuring livestock, domestic pets and fish have water.
• Food Production: Irrigation of edible crops on allotments when a watering can isn’t practical.
• Rainwater Systems: Hoses connected exclusively to rainwater butts or harvesting setups.

8. Penalties for Non-Compliance

Breaching a TUB can lead to:

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

Portsmouth Water encourages customers to report suspected breaches for fair enforcement.

9. How to Check Your Status

• Portsmouth Water Website: Their drought FAQ is updated with any TUB announcements.
• Account Alerts: Sign up for email or SMS drought updates via your online account.
• Local Media & Social: Watch official Portsmouth Water channels for the latest.

Staying informed ensures you can comply immediately if restrictions are needed.

10. Preparing and Water-Saving Tips

Even without a ban, adopt water-wise habits now:

• Harvest Rainwater: Top up butts to use watering cans instead of hoses.
• Drip Irrigation & Soaker Hoses: Target roots efficiently, reducing wastage.
• Early-Morning Watering: Water via cans before dawn to cut evaporation.
• Mulch Heavily: Apply 5–8 cm of organic mulch to locks in soil moisture.
• Fix Leaks Promptly: A single drip can waste up to 30 L per day—repair taps without delay.
• Drought-Tolerant Planting: Choose lavender, sedum, rosemary and ornamental grasses.

By reducing demand now, you help maintain supply resilience and avoid the need for mandatory restrictions.

Conclusion
Portsmouth Water does not currently have a hosepipe ban, relying instead on robust resource management and customer partnerships to weather dry summers. Should conditions worsen, the company’s clear drought plan would guide the introduction of a Temporary Use Ban—but until then, every customer can contribute by using water carefully. Embrace rainwater harvesting, targeted irrigation and leak repairs to support local supplies and keep gardens thriving through any heatwave.

Top 10 Questions & Answers

1. Is there a hosepipe ban in Portsmouth right now?
   No—Portsmouth Water has not activated a Temporary Use Ban in 2025.
2. Which areas does Portsmouth Water serve?
   Portsmouth, Gosport, Fareham, Havant, parts of East Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
3. What would be banned under a TUB?
   Garden watering, vehicle washing, patio/path cleaning, pool filling, and non-recirculating features.
4. Have they ever imposed a ban before?
   Yes—once in 1976 during an extreme drought (Code of Practice).
5. Why didn’t they ban pipes in 2012?
   Their supplies remained sufficient, so no formal restrictions were needed (Activity Reports).
6. What exemptions apply?
   Uses for health & safety, animal welfare, essential food-crop watering, and hoses on rainwater systems.
7. What happens if I breach a ban?
   You may face a fixed penalty up to £100 or court fines up to £1,000, and possible disconnection.
8. How will I know if a ban starts?
   Check Portsmouth Water’s drought FAQ, sign up for account alerts, or follow official communications.
9. How can I save water now?
   Harvest rainwater, use soaker hoses, mulch beds, water early, and fix leaks promptly.
10. Could a ban still be introduced later this summer?
    Yes—if reservoir or river levels breach critical thresholds, Portsmouth Water will enact a TUB per its drought plan.