Hosepipe restrictions are now in place
A temporary hosepipe ban is now in place for all our customers in Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset and the Isles of Scilly. The ban came into effect at 00:01am on Saturday 8th August to help protect water supplies during the current drought conditions.
Please help safeguard water supplies by following these restrictions.”
Customers must not use hosepipes for non-essential purposes while the ban is in place. This includes using a hosepipe to:
- Water your garden
- Wash your car
- Fill a paddling pool, swimming pool or hot tub
- Clean your patio or driveway
- Clean walls and windows
Water can still be used as normal for drinking, washing and cooking.
You can still carry out many of your usual activities without a hosepipe, for example by using a watering can to water plants or using a bucket and sponge to wash your car.
FAQs and exceptions
Some people and some types of water use are exempt from the hosepipe ban, meaning hosepipes can still be used in those cases.
These exceptions are often based on people having additional needs, requiring water to carry out a business activity, or using water to protect people or animals.
You may be exempt if you have a health condition, disability or extra support need.
If one of these exceptions applies to you, we’d still ask you to be careful with water wherever possible, to help safeguard essential supplies.
Why do we need a hosepipe ban?
We have seen a prolonged period of hot and dry weather, with record temperatures and rainfall well below seasonal averages over many months. Along with continuous high demand for water this has caused increasing pressure on reservoirs and available water resources.
The Environment Agency has declared half of England, including the South West, in drought. Most recently, the Met Office has announced that England and Wales have provisionally recorded their driest July on record, with Southern England seeing its driest month ever recorded, in a series dating back to 1836.
The hosepipe ban is necessary to ensure we can continue to supply enough water to meet people’s essential needs.
Reservoir levels
Thank you for your efforts in saving water. Levels updated as of the 2nd August 2026.
Our action
Our teams have been working around the clock to maintain reliable water supplies for customers across the region. This includes:
- Maximising water treatment works production
- Moving water around the network to where it is needed most
- Increasing leak detection and repairs
- Deploying additional resources to protect supplies.
We only impose a hosepipe ban when absolutely necessary as we recognise the impact it has on customers. We will lift the restrictions as soon as we can.
Every litre saved now will help protect our water resources while drought conditions continue. By making small changes to how we use water, our customers can make a real difference.
Water saving tips
With hot, dry weather and increased demand, taking simple steps to use less water can make a big impact.
