Temporary use bans
A Temporary Use Ban (TUB) is one step in a carefully planned water resources strategy, to ensure that customers continue to have the water supplies for all of their vital needs.
The Temporary Use Ban was authorised by legislation in 2010*, replacing the previous provisions relating to 'hosepipe bans'. When temporary restrictions are implemented, customers throughout the area specified are required not to use the water supply for the following purposes.
Restrictions
- Watering a 'garden' using a hosepipe
- Cleaning a private motor vehicle using a hosepipe
- Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe
- Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe
- Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool
- Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use
- Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe
- Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain
- Cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe
- Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe
- Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe
Definition of 'garden'
Under the new Temporary Use Ban legislation, the definition of 'garden' has been amended.
A 'garden' includes:
- a park
- gardens open to the public
- a lawn
- a grass verge
- an area of grass used for sport or recreation
- an allotment garden
- any area of an allotment used for non-commercial purposes
- any other green space
A 'garden' does not include:
- agricultural land
- land used commercially (i.e. for growing)
- a temporary garden or flower display
- plants that are in an outdoor pot or in the ground, under cover
Exceptions
Each local water company can decide whether certain activities are exempt from the Temporary Use Ban. The company does this by carefully considering the local water resource situation and then working with householders and businesses in the community to save water with the minimum of inconvenience.
Despite occasional stories of this being a 'postcode lottery', the natural water resource situation does not respect such boundaries, and companies use their engineering knowledge and environmental experience to get the balance right. For any exemptions in your area, please check with your local water company.
The announcement of a temporary restriction provides a period of consultation. Customers can submit representations on the prohibition within seven days of a ban notice being issued by writing to their local water company.
* Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and the Water Use (Temporary Use Ban) Order 2010
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