Southern Water Hosepipe Ban 2025: Your Essential Guide

Introduction
Southern Water supplies over 2.26 million customers across Kent, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, East and West Sussex. In the face of England’s driest spring since 1893, many companies have resorted to Temporary Use Bans (TUBs) to protect dwindling supplies. As of July 2025, Southern Water has not imposed a hosepipe ban, thanks to adequate reservoir and river levels supported by ongoing leakage reduction and resource investments (Southern Water). This guide explains what a TUB entails, Southern Water’s coverage, why no ban is in place, potential future triggers, prohibited activities, exemptions, penalties, how to stay informed, and water-saving tips to prevent future restrictions.

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

A TUB, commonly called a hosepipe ban, is a legal restriction under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 that prohibits non-essential outdoor uses of mains water delivered via hosepipe or sprinklers—such as garden watering, vehicle washing and patio cleaning—when supply sources (rivers, reservoirs, groundwater) breach critical thresholds (Southern Water).

2. Southern Water’s Supply Area

Southern Water provides drinking water and wastewater services across approximately 4,450 km², covering:

• East Sussex and West Sussex
• Kent
• Hampshire
• Isle of Wight (Southern Water)

3. Current Status: No Ban in 2025

Despite record-high summer demand and low spring rainfall, Southern Water has not activated a hosepipe ban. Its weekly reservoir and river-flow reports show levels above the company’s “red alert” drought triggers, and no current incidents warrant TUB implementation (Southern Water).

4. Historical Drought Measures

• August–November 2022 TUB: Southern Water introduced restrictions in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight when River Test and Itchen flows dropped below safe abstraction levels; the ban was lifted once flows recovered. (Southern Water)
• Ongoing Leakage Reduction: The company’s Drought Plan emphasizes proactive leak repairs and resource transfers ahead of compulsory bans.

5. Drought Plan and Future Triggers

Southern Water’s Drought Plan follows five phases:

1. Normal Conditions: Encouraged voluntary savings.
2. Preparedness (Level 1): Enhanced monitoring, leak-fixing and public awareness.
3. Hosepipe Restrictions (Level 2): Mandatory TUB when water stocks breach thresholds.
4. Drought Orders (Level 3): Wider measures including standpipes or rota cuts under extreme stress.
5. Lifting Restrictions: Gradual removal once sources recover.

A TUB will be enacted only if reservoir storage or river flows fall below the predefined “red alert” points despite mitigation efforts (Southern Water).

6. What a Hosepipe Ban Would Prohibit

Under a Level 2 TUB, you could not use a hosepipe or sprinkler for:

• Watering gardens, lawns and flowerbeds
• Washing cars, boats, caravans or other vehicles
• Cleaning patios, paths, driveways and garden furniture
• Filling or topping up domestic swimming and paddling pools
• Operating non-recirculating water features

These restrictions protect essential uses—drinking water, sanitation and public health—by curbing discretionary consumption (Southern Water).

7. Exemptions & Essential Uses

Even during a TUB, the following uses remain permitted:

• Health & Safety: Firefighting, dust suppression on construction sites, infection-control cleaning.
• Animal Welfare: Watering livestock, domestic pets, aquaculture or zoo exhibits.
• Food Production: Irrigation of edible crops on allotments when a watering can is impractical.
• Rainwater Systems: Hosepipes connected exclusively to rainwater harvesting tanks or butts.

No formal application is required for these exemptions; they are automatically permissible under the ban framework (Southern Water).

8. Penalties for Non-Compliance

Breaching a TUB can lead to:

• Fixed Penalty Notice: Up to £100 issued on the spot.
• Court Prosecution: Fines up to £1,000.
• Enforcement Actions: Potential disconnection of hosepipe fittings at the customer’s property.

Southern Water encourages reporting suspected breaches via its customer hotline for fair enforcement (Southern Water).

9. How to Stay Informed

• Postcode Checker: Enter your postcode on Southern Water’s website to see current drought phases.
• Account Alerts: Register for email or SMS notifications via your MyAccount.
• Social Media & News: Follow Southern Water on its official channels for real-time drought updates.
• Local Media: Regional press and radio stations report any new restrictions promptly.

Regularly checking these sources ensures you can adapt immediately if a ban is imposed.

10. Water-Saving Tips to Avoid Future Bans

• Harvest Rainwater: Install or top up water butts and use watering cans for your garden.
• Install Drip Irrigation: Connect soaker hoses to rainwater tanks for precise, low-waste watering.
• Mulch Heavily: Apply 5–8 cm of organic mulch around plants to retain soil moisture.
• Water Early Morning: Use watering cans before dawn to minimise evaporation.
• Fix Leaks Promptly: A dripping tap can waste up to 30 L per day—repair leaks without delay.
• Fit Tap Aerators: Reduce flow rates for washing tasks without sacrificing performance.
• Choose Drought-Tolerant Plants: Lavender, sedum, rosemary and ornamental grasses thrive on minimal water.

By reducing discretionary use now, you help maintain reservoir levels and lessen the need for compulsory restrictions.

Conclusion
Southern Water does not currently have a hosepipe ban in place for 2025, having maintained reservoir and river flows above critical thresholds through proactive drought planning and infrastructure investment. Understanding what a TUB involves, which uses are exempt, and how to stay informed prepares you to comply swiftly should restrictions become necessary. Meanwhile, adopting water-wise practices will support long-term supply resilience and protect our shared water resources.

Top 10 Questions & Answers

1. Does Southern Water have a hosepipe ban right now?
   No—no Temporary Use Ban is active as of July 2025. (Southern Water)
2. Which areas does Southern Water serve?
   East & West Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. (Southern Water)
3. What is a Temporary Use Ban?
   A legal restriction on non-essential outdoor hose use under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. (Southern Water)
4. Why isn’t Southern Water banning hoses?
   Current reservoir and river levels remain above the company’s red-alert drought triggers. (Southern Water)
5. What activities would be banned under a TUB?
   Garden watering, vehicle washing, patio/driveway cleaning, pool filling and non-recirculating water features. (Southern Water)
6. Are there any exemptions?
   Yes—for health & safety, animal welfare, food-crop watering on allotments and hoses on rainwater systems. (Southern Water)
7. What penalties apply for breaching the ban?
   Fixed penalty notices up to £100, court fines up to £1,000, and possible disconnection of fittings. (Southern Water)
8. How can I check if a ban is introduced?
   Use the postcode checker on Southern Water’s website or sign up for customer alerts. (Southern Water)
9. When was Southern Water’s last hosepipe ban?
   August to November 2022 in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. (Southern Water)
10. How can I help avoid future bans?
    Harvest rainwater, mulch beds, install drip irrigation, fix leaks promptly, and adopt drought-tolerant planting.