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Thames Water

For details of the hosepipe ban 2012 please go to this page: Thames Water Hosepipe Ban 2012

Address:

Thames Water Utilities Ltd
PO BOX 436
Swindon
SN38 1TU

Website:

www.thameswater.co.uk

Telephone:

0845 9200 888

Parent Company:

Kemble Water Limited

About Thames Water:

Thames Water serves 13 million customers across London and the Southeast of England.

Watch this space! We will have more information about Thames Water over the coming months. If you have any comments about Thames Water, please use the comments box below.

182 replies on “Thames Water”

Surely this ban will be lifted very soon, not just in time for the Olympics, that would look very suspicious,would it not?

Not if you’re in an area that has a hosepipe ban in place. Thames Water have lifted their ban though.

Ive had a 70ft x6ft wall erected the length of my garden
The cement & sand has been mixed on my front drive
where there is also a skip full of bricks from the old wall
When completed can I jetwash down as looks like a builders yard
?

its been raining for 3 months what are they doing with all that water
in spain rains only 20% compared with britain they manage i think
our water being missmanaged.its a joke

The heavy precipitation, having reached ground level, is intercepted by vegetation, before undergoing surface runoff and entering waterways. Once there it flows due to gravity towards to sea. Hence most of the rainfall is lost within a few days, with only that which was trapped in a reservoir being preserved. What needs to happen is for it to infiltrate into the soil and percolate deeper into the groundwater supplies. Groundwater flow is incredibly slow, and can take years to reach the sea. However the equal opposite effect is that it takes a long time for the underground reservoirs (known as aquifers, regions of porous rock) to replenish. Because of an extended period of low rainfall we have abstracted much of those stores, and hence it will take a while for them to be restored. Now, since Thames Water uses the river Thames for much of its supply, they will soon be able to relinquish the restrictions. However water companies further south, which use the groundwater supplies, need to wait for the water table to rise to a sufficiently high level before they can initiate similar relaxation on restrictions.
For example, the Sahara desert is a desert because it has very little annual rainfall. However it does have underground aquifers, which have been there for thousands of years. Hence the phenomenon of oasis’s. If that water were abstracted then it would not replenish. The same is true in Israel. Now, with your example of Spain, they do have much less annual precipitation, but as they are aware of that they manage their water supplies to a better extend, which extends to not using water excessively. Here, as we have now been doing that too for a couple of months, we are approaching a stage where there is sufficient water to return to normal. Here in Britain we have ample surface water, as the past few weeks have shown us, but we need to wait a while longer before the gorundwater is topped up.
I hope that helps you.

Can a hosepipe be used to run an outboard motor to flush the cooling system (about 5 minutes continuous use), through the use of flushing muffs?

Thank you for the reply.
Of course I am not going to break the law, could you suggest who I could ask for absolute authority on the matter?
Whilst I trust you, it is important to be sure.

Following a discussion with our neighbour, can you please advise whether a hose can be used when used in conjuction with a water butt pump, so no water is taken from the mains?

i am a self employed builder can i use my hosepipe to wash my van, during the hosepipe ban.

Hi, we neighbour keeps using his hosepipe to water his new trees, whcih go the length pf his garden, is this allowed?

If he had them planted by professional gardeners he can do that for 28 days. If he planted them himself he’s not allowed to water with a hosepipe.

I have MS, and have difficutly walking. I have a Blue Badge on my car. I think i says in the rules that I am allowed to use a hosepipe to water my plant beds. Is this true?

I am a Facilities Manager – where I work (thames water area), we have a quarterly requirement to hose down a/c condensing units as the filters get clogged up regularly. We need to do this, otherwise the temperature in our comms rooms gets way too high.

Can we still do this under the hosepipe ban

I cannot find a place to report the use of a hosepipe to report a garden and have now reported as a leak, I report this because I have been using waste water to fill my water butts and being on a first floor maisonette and my garden being the furthest away it is becoming hard work.

Hi Hose,

Just a wee note to say keep up the good voluntary work although it must be frustrating at times answering the same questions over and over again.

I don’t have any questions as all my questions have been answered in previous posts but volunteers don’t get thanked enough (especially when dealing with such emotive issues) in my view so thank you for keeping this website going it’s very useful for up to date information.

I’ve just purchased a water butt to use my karcher with – B&Q have a good starter kit for £29.99 including stand 120l water butt and adaptor for the drain pipe you just might need to go to a few B&Q’s to find one that hasn’t been damaged.

Cheers

Tricia (London)

I have a few plants on the roof of a communal housing association property. I water them using a hosepipe that hangs down the side of the building and into my bathroom.
I don’t understand what a ‘garden’ is and obviously I’m not going to be climbing up and down the stairs with buckets of water. There is no tap on the roof.
I’ve just watered my plants using a bucket and watering can, taking the water from the only available source, the hosepipe on the roof.
Ironically, watering this way seems to use more water than I usually do with the hose. It also takes a lot longer.
What do you say Hose?

So, you expect me to climb up and down the stairwell to fill the watering can from the tap that runs to the roof anyway? That’s just stupid. How else am I meant to water my plants? They will die. Can I get £500 compensation from Thames Water to cover the loss of the plants? Do you have any better suggestions?

I don’t work for Thames Water. This is a volunteer run website offering information about the hosepipe ban.

Drew, unfortunate though it may be, the system cannot make individual exemptions based on common sense, because then there would be so many potential loopholes anyone could use their hosepipe. It is outrageous that disabled people and businesses are already exempt, but that is the way the law works and there is no point arguing about it. If you review your contract with Thames water you will find agreement to cessation of usage at the command of the water company in the event of a water shortage. Ergo you have agreed to the necessity of having to carry a can up the stairs.
As for a better suggestion, I recommend the fitting of a roof tank with an regulated drip system to provide water for your plants.
I am not affiliate with Thames Water in any way, except as a consumer.

So, please tell me why can i not fill a watering can using the hose attached to the outside tap instead of waiting for it to fill from the tap? Is it a pressure thing? Seems that the same amount of water is coming out and the hoze will not be left unattended.btw – I have a water meter – therefore every drip save is a penny saved!

Thank you

i have just laid turfs in my garden (19th May – Swindon), am i allowed to water this? i see that commercial companies are allowed for 28 day, does this apply to me as well?

No, only turf laid by professionals. You can do it with a watering can but not hosepipe.

So Thames Water is proud to be the official water provider to the Olympic Games and is working with Locog… Hallelujah!

This means that we are all suffering water restrictions, despite relatively full reservoirs to ensure that the powers that be are not embarrassed by their failure to provide a proper water grid in this country for the “Olympic Family”.

Ask yourself, how many of the fat cat officials attending the games will be asked only to take four minute showers, and observe all the restrictions – they won#’t have too as they are using the water we have been restricted from using.

Interesting that in the recent heavy rain, where the Thames was running very high, they could not take any water out as they had nowhere to put it having been closing reservoirs.

About time TW starting thinking ahead and providing the proper infrastructure we need. Many parts of the Midlands have been supplied by the Welsh Reservoirs for years, so don’t tell me it is not technologically possible to run a water grid…. it is the need to rip cash out of the businesses that is preventing the necessary investment.

Hi, I am the secretary at our local village cricket club. At our recent committee meeting a member said they thought weekly watering of the square and outfield is now allowed in the Thames Water area. I can’t find anything official on this …. and with the recent hot spell our facilties are looking rather dry! What’s the current position please? Thanks

oi hose guy I cant see through my wind screen(the car) it`s so dirty can I wash it with my hose pipe?

Hi, I recently purchased a water butt to collect rainwater and it is now full . Can I attach a garden hose to the tap of the water butt and use it to water the garden? As the water butt is on a higher level than the garden, gravity will allow the water to drain out through the hose. I will not be using mains water, but a hose will be used.

Hi, can i use a small pump to extract water from a tub that i filled from the tap ,to water my allotment?…Thanks

Live in the Thames Water supply area – am i allowed to use the hose to bath my [rather smelly!] dog?

Can it really be the case that the gardeners at the Chelsea flower show are watering everything with cans??

Can we use a pressure washer to clean pigeon mess from our decking as there is a lot of it and not very hygenic for our grandchildren to play in the garden. I am happy to provide photos of the mess so you can see how much there is.

Hi
Can we fill our private childrens nursery paddling pool?
Can we fill our water play equpment?
Can we wash down areas that children have had an’ accident ‘on?i.e Wee?
Can we clean the carpet using a spray extraction machine if a child has a’ accident ‘on it?

KInd regards

Could you please clarify how many reservoirs Thames Water have closed in the last Ten years?

Thank you

Hi,

I have split car oil on my front patio which has become slippery. Also my dog has been using my back patio to go to the toilet since last summer and I am not willing to let my son out there to play until this is properly cleaned. Am I able to clean both of these with a jet wash ? Thanks.

Yes, though you may wish to prepare some proof of this in case anyone comes knocking.

Hello,
I plan to use an infra-red operated water sprayer to prevent foxes and cats littering my garden and potentially entering my property through open doors. This is a purpose-built device available to buy and sprays a 5 second burst of water when something walks in front of it. I assume you accept that this is a H&S related usage? Note that I have used an ultrasonic device previously but it has not been effective. Thanks

There’s nothing in the rules to say you can’t use such a device but might be worth contacting your local water company to clarify.

Am I allowed to jetwash the decking round my holiday caravan. It gets slippery from all the leaves and debris during the winter months when not in use and then when the holiday season starts it needs to be cleaned.

i work in hillingdon and my manager has said it is ok to wash 7 lorries and 6 vans with a hosepipe because the ban doesnt effect us. Is this true ?

Regardless of where you are, washing company vehicles with a hosepipe during water restrictions is allowed.

My mother in law lives in KT12 and is not sure if she can use her hose. I don’t think so – am I correct?

Please contact your local water company. We do not have the resources to offer a postcode checking facility.

hi me again, you said unfortunately i cant use hose to fill up my pool!!! just want to clarify that i can use a bucket? thanks

“filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool” is not allowed using buckets or any other method.

Note that this has now been changed by Thames Water to allow the use of filling with buckets etc. “filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool (except when using hand held containers filled directly from a tap);”

My neighbour is watering his garden with a hose pipe. They know its an offence and there’s no reason I know of that makes them exempt. Any advice as to how to deal with it please?

Hi, I live in the Bromley borough and we are having a children’s party but our patio has a slippery slime over it that has built up over the winter. Please confirm if it is ok for me to jet wash this to make it safe for the party (it is not a very big patio). I look forward to hearing from you.

As long as I don’t use a hose pipe, can I find another way of filling my pool other than with buckets?

Am i allowed to fill up my pool for the summer, this is only filled once and i treat the water with chemicals? i notice it says that you can fill pools up as long as you use a hand held container from the tap, but wouldnt it be more economical to use a hose to save spilling the water from the container when trying to transfer from the house to the garden!!! Thanks

Hi, I don’t listen to the radio and I don’t watch TV often. I have heard other people talking about the “hose ban” and decide to check on the internet if my area was affected before washing the car. For my surprise (despite recent flooding), there was a hose ban in my area and I did not use the hose.

How is it possible for Thames water not to send me a letter on the hose ban, while at the same time I am regularly receiving “offers” on insurance against burst pipes from the same company?! I had even called customer services and requested no more “offers” to be sent to my address. No luck so far, I still receive a bulky paper letter full of offers every now and then. And all this comes from “the first utility company to be awarded new Carbon Trust Standard” !

Hello

Am i allowed to use the jet wash to clear my garden/decking of debri and built up grime so my children can play Safetly?

Thank you

Hi there. I need to service and flush the cooling system in my car. The only way to do so successfully is to run a hosepipe in through the radiator top hose until the water runs clear. This is essential maintenance required in the manufacturers service schedule every 3 years and mine is overdue. Wil I be OK doing this (N.B. this is not cleaning the car or an optional/ cosmetic exercise – if I don’t do it there is a good chance my engine will overheat this summer and thus break down/require expensive repair if I do not complete this procedure)?

I have three dogs that go to the toilet on the decking in the garden which is starting to smell and flies are resting on it.. Can I jet wash the decking to get rid of the smell.

Hi as a builder am I allowed to use a jet wash to clean grime off the building that I am working on ?

I have heard from a passer by that the ban does not apply to Pensioners. My wife is 81 and I am coming up to 85. Is the passer by correct please?

A man from Thames water said we could use on wickets, under heath and safety, but not out field. so whos right?

We’ve not heard that officially, but if that’s what you’ve been told then of course you should go with that.

Hi work at private school, we have a lot of cricket , are we allowed to use a hoes to get wickets ready. on health and safty grounds? what a bout plants, to help sell the school?

My garden patios have become very slippery with the rain that we have had recently and often foxes mess on them. Am I able to jetwash them please as my step father who visits on a regular basis is disabled (blue badge holder) I live in Enfield Middx.

My decking is green in places and a little slippery. It would take around 20 minutes to jet wash it. Is this allowed as I have 2 young boys and I’m worried as it hasn’t been done for 3 years that it may cause them to fall over?

We have had a drain blockage and raw sewage has overflowed up through the decking and over it, now it has been fixed we have been left with a very smelly deck that needs pressure cleaning to rid the stench and dirt. Is this allowed?? As it is a health a safety issue and the kids cant go out to play?

Thanks

The Chelsea Flower Show uses inestimable amounts of water from hosepipes both during the show and afterwards to restore the park. It does not all come from their private bore hole. Why does Thames Water not prosecute them?

Hi I run a small building company. Can we use hose pipes to mix cement and jet wash paths/patios after/during the work?

Does the exemption allowing : using a hosepipe in a garden or for cleaning walls or windows of domestic premises, paths or patios, a private leisure boat or an artificial outdoor surface, where such use is necessary for health and safety reasons. extend to hosing down waders and equipment contaminated with raw sewage?

Obviously the health and safety reason applies but does it include protective clothing and portable equipment?

I’d have guessed you could use a hosepipe under the health and safety banner, but best to check with Thames to make sure.

Hi,

I had a garden pond with lots of fish in it which started leaking a few weeks ago. I therefore had to dig it up to replace the liner, keeping my fish in a temporary container whilst I do so. Now that the pond is replaced it needs to be filled so that i can house the fish again (they will not survive for long in the container) can I still do this-I will be re-using their container of water in the pond?

What’s the point of view on continuing to use commercial car cleaners? We have a sole trader clean our cars every two weeks. We can continue to do this and use the water or cut back on the water and maybe contribute to him going out of business. At the moment we’re continuing with the service but would be interested in others PoV.

Hi,

I recently started to get building work done in my house (garden area), in order to make the foundation,,build new walls and prepare the cement and so on, the builders need to use water. Are the builders allowed to use a hose pipe in the garden to do this?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

I know of a man cleaning cars for a living but there is no planning consent from the council to run a car cleaning business so is he still allowed to clean other peoples cars for money using his own house water while there is a ban.

I read in the Times companies are exempt form the ban yet the Thames water restrictions only state specific activities. We own and manage a public pay and play golf course as a Ltd company and spent over £50k on improvement to the course this winter new greens etc.
Our understanding is as a sports area we cannot water anything and risk drought damage to the greens.
The tee and fairways are not irrigated and we only used to water greens with sprinklers on metered valves eg500l per green. We can educate players not to expect emerald green fairways but when 50 % of strokes are on the putting green pay and play members are not going to come back to play on dusty dry greens. Is the case for all golf courses?
Everyone has to play their part in conserving water as a resource but when Thames water have the worst leaking network out of all the companies and bosses still get bonuses it seems ridiculous they can impose measures that impact our human right to earn a living for our chosen business.
When you read the exemptions to the ban you see race courses are there- who use mains water to water a 2mile track every day with 1 inch of water even when it rains- for a race meeting in 23 days time on the grounds of health and safety for the horses and jockeys if they run on firm ground?
We know Thames water have to also cater for requirements of the Olympics etc and make others suffer for this.
Our options are
Sit a wait for the wet British summer. Or set up rain harvesting and use what water we can to spray it on but we.d need to hold 10,000l for two days watering in peak summer temperatures.
Apart from rigging up a 300m trickle tape or soaker hose to a frame with timer and pressure reducing valve for each green and laying out each night.

it is good friday.i am watching next door wash their 4×4 with a hosepipe he has so far had this running for over 1hour!!!.this is not fair when i cannot water my allotment.as it is a bank holliday ihave not been able to report this.there seems to be no phone line or web page to report illegal use of hosepipes.if we are unable to report these selfish people more and more people will ignore the ban he is @

Address removed. If you wish to report someone, please do it to the relevant water company.

hi, can i fill my chickens & ducks water containers with a hosepipe? as they are too large to move, & the filling hole is too small to use a watering can or bucket without excess spillage?

The last time there was a hose pipe ban, one was allowed to fill a bucket (or watering can for example) if there was a bit of a walk to and from car and the tap, would you kindly double check this point as last time the pragmatic approach was taken allowing buckets to be filled by a hose. As you know a bucket of water is heavy and is easily spilled when being carried. many thanks,

I am a school Business Manager; we have a market garden growing produce and chickens . It’s used as a educational resource across the curriculum areas. Can we use the hose just in this area in school?

Unlikely I think but you should check with your local water company as it’s a special case.

Hi again Hose thought some people may like to see the reply we finally got from Thames water regarding useing a hose for our ducks
Thank you for your patience and please accept our apologies for not getting back to you sooner.

Under the conditions of the Temporary Use Ban you are permitted to fill a domestic pond of pool with a hosepipe connected to mains water, if it is necessary to do so to ensure the welfare of fish or aquatic animals being reared of kept in captivity. We ask you thought to be mindful of the amount of water that you use during this period of drought

Kind regards

Public Consultations Team
Thames Water

Hi as a registered disable person who holds a blue badge can I use my hose pipe to water my garden as i am very confused with who can and who can’t………

It’s still pretty unclear where Thames Water actually say that topping up garden ponds with fish in them is permitted. Can anyone point me to that. Re the post copied below – I can only see the general ban on TW’s website not the exclusion – “we have clarified that this excludes fish ponds. Our koi carp will survive!” TW should post this on their FAQs

Good news for pond fish in the Thames Water area. On the Thames Water website, under frequently asked questions (What clarifications have been added to the Temporary Use Ban) they state Under the seventh exemption ˜filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe’

Dear Sir. Watering an allotment.
Last time there was a hosepipe ban I was advised that it was in order to use a hosepipe to fill a water butt and then fill a watering can from the butt. That saves having to carry the cans so far, particularly on a large allotment. Is this in fact allowed in the Thames Water Board area?

In one of your Thames Water replies you said that filling a fixed water butt with a hose is not allowed. During the last London hosepipe ban a few years ago, my allotment site understood that this was permitted, provided that the hosepipe was not used for actual watering, which had to be by watering can. Has TW made a specific statement on this point?

Hi Hose,
I note that I cannot clean my boat using a hosepipe, but can you please confirm that I am permited to fill the water tank on my boat using a hosepipe during the ban.

a new lawn is being laid in the next 2 days. can i use a hose to water it. I understand you have a `30 day grace`

Hi Mickyo

That’s incorrect I’m afraid. There was some talk about this being allowed at one stage but the water companies are now not allowing this.

How long does a hose have to be? I use about a metre attached to a tap to fill a watering can to avoid spillage. Will I be breaking the law after 5th April 2012?

Which part of Thames Water website specifically states this?

I’m in a similar position where filling a watering can from the outside tap 1 metre high will spill/waste more water than using a short piece of hose to fill the can directly.

Surely this is case of common sense and discretion?

So as patios are to stay uncleaned, what if my dog has diahorrea, and it sticks to the slab. its not an animal welfare issue but a hygene one, and so what is the score there please?

Also owning a water breed dog, it even has the word ” duck” in the name of the breed, can I put out a hose filled paddling pool to allow it access to “natural” behaviour, as stated in the animal welfare act?

Hi Doggle

Health and safety issue so no problem to clean the patio. Not so sure about the paddling pool. You’d need to ask your local water company.

Hi Hose, can I ask who you are, you seem to be able to answer so many questions but not all, so I don’t know if your a really helpful guy with a lot of knowledge or actually an employee of the Waterboard and speaking on their behalf

Hello again Maureen

First of all, you’re right I can’t answer all the questions put to us on this website. That’s because a) hosepipe ban rules are a little complicated b) hosepipe ban rules are made very complicated by how they are presented in many different ways by each water company. Oh and did I mention they change regularly? Frustrating I can tell you!

Secondly no, I have no connection to any water board/company. It’s an independent website run by me with supplemental information from various sources.

Feel free to email me for further info.

My company treats lawns on a regular basis,and we need to fill containers with water to mix with fertilizers and weedkill.Is this allowed? V
Very concerned as we could struggle to continue trading otherwise!!

Hi Danny

Businesses do have exemptions for most things but I’m not sure about this particular application. Best to contact Thames Water to see what they say

is my husband allowed to clean his taxi using a hose and also when it is not used for the public we have to use it for our disabled daughter thankyou, mrs m harris.

Hi Mrs Harris

Your husband can clean his taxi with a hosepipe as it is a business and is exempt from the bans for this purpose.

if a person who is registered blind and holds a blue badge and has an irrigation sysem to the property,?can they use this sytem during the ban

Hi Hall

As a blue badge holder you can do anything you wish and some types of irrigation system are allowed anyway.

Hi Sarah

No problem filling your paddling pool with bath water or perhaps rain water if you wanted.

With regard to question relating to ‘irrigation’ systems. Following quote taken from Thames Water hose pipe ban exemptions page.

“drip or trickle irrigation watering systems, fitted with a pressure reducing valve and a timer, that are not handheld, that place water drip by drip directly onto the soil surface or beneath the soil surface, without any surface run off or dispersion of water through the air using a jet or mist.”

URL reference:

http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/15443.htm

The following quote taken from Thames Water website relating to ‘exemptions’ from hose pipe ban. You may be able to use the ‘health and safety’ reason card i.e. human health issue if duck area not clean.

“using a hosepipe in a garden or for cleaning walls or windows of domestic premises, paths or patios, a private leisure boat or an artificial outdoor surface, where such use is necessary for health and safety reasons.”

the reply from the RSPCA below
Thank you for your online enquiry.

There is a dilemma in such instances. Drought Orders are being introduced because of the serious water shortage. The environmental effects of this will affect many animals. Breaking the conditions of
such Drought Orders may result in penalties.
However, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 you have a legal responsibility to ensure that an animal’s needs are met and to avoid causing unnecessary suffering. Ensuring that your ducks have access to clean water for drinking and bathing etc would be considered necessary to comply with the welfare provisions of the Act.

do hope someone from Thames Water actually reads this and acts in the same manner as Anglian Water do for friends in that region who keep ducks, this was their reply to a friend of mine
Thank you for your enquiry.

To confirm, a hosepipe can be used for the purposes of dealing with ducks. We would not wish to put the life of wildlife at risk

Regards
Anglian Water Customer Satisfaction Team

thank you I have been in contact with the RSPCA and im waiting for a reply
I have read irrigation systems are allowed

can we use a garden soaker or an irrigation system at all?
maureen, contact the rspca & ask them for advice about your ducks.

thanks Hose, followed your advice and spoke to a nice young man who sadley was no wiser than me regarding livestock and compared the careing for ducks to watering plants which of course it isnt

Hi Maureen
Try speaking to Thames Water directly. Perhaps they allow extra provision for the owners of livestock.

hello I keep 8 domesticated ducks, their swim pool needs draining cleaning and re filling on a weekly basis, their area needs their droppings cleaned away daily to maintain their good health and to prevent invasion by rats, im not sure how these are going to be possible without useing a hose pipe sorry, any helpful tips welcome

please may we have some meaningful information from Thames Water regarding a proposed ‘hosepipe’ ban. Most of the current websites seem to refer to previous years (as far back as 2006) or to other companies.

i understand about hosepipe bans but worries me is the thought of stand pipes and evetually no water at all then we die without water

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