Non-essential use ban (NEUB) FAQs

What is a Non-Essential Use Ban?

A non-essential use ban (NEUB) is a restriction on specific non-essential uses of mains water by businesses and non-household customers during severe drought conditions.

It’s a measure water companies can implement under a Drought Order when there is a serious threat to water supplies and requires approval by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Why is it different from an ordinary hosepipe ban?

A hosepipe ban mainly restricts certain uses of water by household customers, whereas a NEUB restricts specified non-essential use of water by businesses and other non-household customers.

If you’re unsure of what’s allowed during a hosepipe ban, you can find more information here Hosepipe ban | South West Water

Who’s impacted by a NEUB?

The proposed restrictions would affect businesses and organisations carrying out specific non-essential activities identified in the Drought Order.

This may include activities such as vehicle washing, maintaining certain swimming pools, watering ornamental planting, dust suppression and the cleaning of non-domestic buildings using a hosepipe.

What have you been doing to protect supplies?

Our teams have been working around the clock to maintain reliable water supplies for customers across the region. This includes:

Increasing leak detection and repairs – fixing over 26,700 leaks in the last 12 months.
Maximising water treatment works production.
Moving water around the network to where it is needed most.
Deploying additional resources to protect supplies.

It’s been raining recently, so why are these measures needed?

The South West is experiencing the effects of a prolonged period of exceptionally dry weather. Reservoirs and rivers have not received the rainfall they would normally rely on, and in some areas water resources are now under significant pressure.

Water resources take time to recover. A few days or even a few weeks of rain cannot replace the water lost through months of exceptionally dry conditions.

Applying for a NEUB within the affected Water Resource Zone will help us protect essential water supplies for customers until our rivers and reservoirs start to recover.

What can we do to protect supplies?

Everyone can help by using water efficiently wherever possible. Small changes can make a big difference, such as:

Taking shorter showers
Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth
Only using washing machines and dishwashers with full loads
Fixing dripping taps and leaking toilets
Collecting rainwater in a water butt to use for gardening
Reporting leaks if you spot one.

You can find further information on how to save water here Save water | South West Water

Why are businesses being restricted when households aren’t?

A NEUB is intended to reduce specific non-essential use of water by businesses and non-household customers during severe drought conditions.

Household customers are already subject to restrictions under a hosepipe ban. Together, these measures help reduce demand and protect essential water supplies.

Has the NEUB been approved yet, and who makes the final decision?

No, it hasn’t been approved yet. South West Water has applied for a NEUB through a Drought Order.

The final decision is made by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs following consideration of the application and any objections that are received.

When would the NEUB come into effect?

The NEUB would only come into effect if the Drought Order is approved and if the drought conditions still persist at that time.

If approved, we would provide advance notice of the implementation date and communicate directly with affected customers wherever possible.

How long would the NEUB remain in place?

The NEUB would remain in place only for as long as necessary to protect essential water supplies. It would be reviewed regularly and lifted as soon as conditions allow and water resources have sufficiently recovered.