Can I wash my dog with a hosepipe during a hosepipe ban?

FOLLOWING an exceptionally dry spring and weeks without significant rainfall, millions of British households are facing strict hosepipe bans. Over 23 million people across England and Wales are currently under Temporary Use Bans (TUBs) as water suppliers struggle to manage surging demand. Hot weather brings a unique challenge: keeping your four-legged friend cool, clean, and safe Credit: Scanpix Hosepipes can be used if the water is required for animal welfare, health, and safety Credit: Alamy Drought has now also been declared across half of England – adding to the large areas of Wales that were already affected. Hosepipe ban restrictions mean millions of households have to turn off their outdoor taps to protect water levels. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! But if you own a dog, hot weather brings a unique challenge: keeping your four-legged friend(s) cool, clean, and safe. So, can you still rinse your muddy pooch off with the garden hose, or will doing so trigger a fine? Can I wash my dog with a hosepipe during a hosepipe ban? Official rules set out by water suppliers under the Water Industry Act 1991 specifically target non-essential domestic activities like washing private cars, cleaning patios, and watering lawns. Water companies explicitly say that hosepipes can be used if the water is required for animal welfare, health, and safety. The exemptions cover: Washing pets: Rinsing mud, dirt, or irritants off your dog after a walk. Preventing overheating: Spraying pets to cool them down during dangerous heatwaves. Hygiene: Washing down kennels, pet bedding areas, or outdoor runs. Most read in The Sun But water firms strongly urge pet owners to act responsibly and avoid wasting water unnecessarily. A standard garden hosepipe blasts through 15 to 17 litres of water every minute, meaning a 10-minute rinse uses more water than an average person uses in an entire day. To conserve water, try using a bucket of warm water and a sponge for routine dog baths, or wash your pup indoors in the bath or shower. Indoor taps are unrestricted during a hosepipe ban. Could you use your dog as a loophole? It might sound like a clever trick to encourage your pooch to chase the hose spray across the back garden so you can secretly soak your parched lawn and flowerbeds under the guise of “playing with the dog.” But you cannot use your pet as a sneaky garden-watering loophole, and this tactic will not hold up if you get caught. Hosepipe bans ban restrict using a hosepipe to water gardens, lawns, plants, or green spaces. If the hose water is soaking into your grass and flowerbeds, you are breaching the ban, regardless of whether your dog is jumping through the stream. Hosepipe bans are legally enforceable, and anyone caught flouting the rules can face court prosecution and a hefty fine of up to £1,000. Most hosepipe ban reports come from watchful neighbours or water company inspectors. An inspector visiting your property will easily spot a thoroughly drenched lawn versus a quick dog rinse. If you genuinely want to keep your garden green during a ban, stick to watering cans or recycled water from a water butt. And if you want to keep your dog entertained in the heat, opt for a wet cooling coat, frozen treats, or a small bowl of cool water in a shaded spot instead. Comment now