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Climate

Water restrictions

South West Water imposed a hosepipe ban in May 2023. However, customers are still allowed to use a hosepipe for a limited number of reasons although this will remain under review. If you would like to find out more, the full list is included in the main article.

Published: 22 June 2023

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There are hosepipe-using activities that are not included in the ban. These are: 

  • Watering food crops at domestic premises or private allotments using a hosepipe. This exception is purely for plants grown for food, and does not include other plants and flowers.
  • Watering newly laid turf using a hosepipe for the first 28 days
  • Watering newly bought plants for the first 14 days
  • Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain/pool to operate for religious purposes

South West Water are also allowing customers to use a hosepipe for:

  • Using a hosepipe to water a garden for health or safety reasons, and where this includes (a) removing or minimising any risk to human or animal health or safety; and (b) preventing or controlling the spread of causative agents of disease;  
  • Watering plants that are (1) grown or kept for sale or commercial use, or (2) that are part of a National Plant Collection or temporary garden or flower display;  
  • Cleaning any area of a private leisure boat which, except for doors or windows, is enclosed by a roof and walls; or for health and safety reasons  
  • Filling or maintaining a pool where necessary in the course of its construction;  
  • Filling or maintaining a pool that is designed, constructed or adapted for use in the course of a programme of medical treatment;  
  • Filling or maintaining a pool that is used for the purpose of decontaminating animals from infections or disease;  
  • Filling or maintaining a pool used in the course of a programme of veterinary treatment;  
  • Filling or maintaining a pool in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity;  
  • Filling or maintaining a domestic pond in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity; and  
  • Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain which is in or near a fish-pond and whose purpose is to supply sufficient oxygen to the water in the pond in order to keep the fish healthy. 

NB Watering areas of grass, which are used for sport or recreation, is covered by a Statutory Exception for health and safety only in relation to the active strip/playing area, not the entire ground.  

They ask that customers use water wisely and on a time-bound basis only. These exceptions will be subject to regular review.

If you would like more information about water resources, including reservoir storage levels and suggestions about how to save water, please click on the link:  Water resources (southwestwater.co.uk)

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