Non-essential use ban application
South West Water has applied for a ban on non essential water use for some businesses across Mid Devon and parts of East Devon and Dorset, after a lack of significant rainfall following a prolonged period of exceptionally dry weather continues to place significant pressure on local water resources.
The application has been sent to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for a drought order which would allow the water company to introduce restrictions on non-essential water use for affected businesses in the Exeter, Exmouth, Crediton, Sidmouth, Tiverton and surrounding areas across Mid and parts of East Devon, as well as a small part of Dorset including Lyme Regis.
The proposed non-essential use ban would include restrictions on:
- watering plants on commercial premises
- filling or maintaining certain non-domestic swimming pools and ponds
- vehicle washing
- cleaning non-domestic buildings and premises
- cleaning industrial plant
- dust suppression
- other specified non-essential uses of mains water.
A non-essential use ban (NEUB) would not apply to households customers, who remain under a hosepipe ban across the wider South West region. Find out more information about the hosepipe ban.
Sam Bottomley, South West Water’s Director for Drinking Water Services, said: “The drought continues in our area and unfortunately, a few days or weeks of rain cannot immediately reverse the impact of months of exceptionally dry weather. Rivers and reservoirs need sustained rainfall and inflows to recover, and we are entering this critical period from a much lower starting point than we would normally expect.
“We know customers will ask why we are taking this step when we have recently seen some rainfall. Our local rivers still remain at their lowest levels and with no significant rain forecast for the coming weeks, applying for a drought order is a responsible step to help protect the environment and preserve the water we have available.
“While household customers would not be impacted by the NEUB, we recognise that these restrictions will have an impact on businesses, and we will provide clear guidance and support to people who are affected if the application is approved.
“In the meantime, the hosepipe ban remains in place for all of our customers and we thank everyone who is taking steps to reduce their water use as we do everything we can to protect water supplies.”
South West Water is continuing to closely monitor river flows, reservoir levels and other water resources as the region enters the autumn and winter period.
The company is also investing in the resilience of the region's water supplies, including fixing around 70 leaks a day, strengthening its network, improving reservoirs and treatment works, developing new water resources and supporting customers to use water more efficiently.
FAQs
Read our frequently asked questions to find out more about the non-essential use ban.