Update 05/08/2023 – This hosepipe ban has now ended.
South East Water are introducing a hosepipe ban just after midnight on Monday the 26th of June.
This follows unprecedented demand for drinking water during June.
The water company has been encouraging restricted water use for some time, but now feels the need to impose a hosepipe ban across the two counties.
Although on their website they say the hosepipe ban and sprinkler ban comes in with immediate effect, they do in fact need to provide warning of this in advance. This would point to the originally reported date of 26th of June being accurate.
Which areas does the hosepipe ban currently cover?
All parts of Kent and Sussex – if your water is provided by South East Water.
What activities are restricted under the hosepipe ban?
- Watering a garden using a hosepipe
- Cleaning a private motor-vehicle (or a trailer for such a 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 (manmade or natural) using a hosepipe
- Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain (including a cascade or any other display of moving water, and includes filling by permanent plumbing)
- 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
Are there exemptions to these restrictions?
Currently, if you are carrying out the activity for commercial reasons, you would be exempt from the hosepipe ban restrictions. Note this exemption covers most, but not all of this list.
Are Blue Badge holders exempt?
At the moment, South East Water are not saying that Blue Badge holders (or disabled people in general) are exempt. This is contrary to previous hosepipe bans.
How long will the hosepipe ban last?
This is impossible to answer. South East Water say “Until further notice”.
Can you answer more specifically about exemptions?
Pop a comment below and we will try our best to answer all questions about the 2023 hosepipe ban from South East Water.
7 replies on “South East Water Announce Hosepipe Ban for Kent and Sussex”
Are blue badge holders exempt? I have a lung disease and cannot carry anything heavy as I cannot breathe,I have a few pots to water please advise.
Can I install a drip irrigation system with timer etc as in other years so I can keep my small veggie patch going? Pots I’m happy to use watering can, milk bottles etc as I already do this anyway to conserve water.
The irony here is that there is NO DROUGHT!! The reservoirs are full as evidenced in South East Today’s report from Bewel Water on Friday evening. South East Water telling us that demand for drinking water has reached record levels is merely a ruse to try and cover up their own inabilities to actually get the water to where it needs to be, all the while they lose around 90 million litres a day through leaks! Bloody disgrace.
The media says the hosepipe ban is in force now but enforced after 26 june – this is confusing, can we use a hosepipe until 26 june?
You’re right, it is confusing. South East Water announced the hosepipe ban yesterday, the 16th. Water companies need to give at least 10 days notice that a hosepipe ban is about to start, so this would be the 26th. But they are saying it is happening with immediate effect – which they can’t actually enforce (hand out fines) until the 26th. It’s all a bit messy really.
Can I water my plants and lawns using a watering can?
Yes you can using a watering can however you wish during this hosepipe ban.
Technically you shouldn’t fill the watering can from a hosepipe though.