Is there a hosepipe ban in my area? Map shows where water restrictions are in place with 23 million affected in UK

BRITS across the country are facing strict hosepipe bans after an exceptionally warm and dry spring and weeks without significant rain. More than 23 million people in England and Wales are subject to Temporary Use Bans (TUBs) as water companies struggle to keep up with surging demand. Anyone caught breaching a hosepipe ban risks a fine of up to £1,000 Credit: Getty More than 23million people in England and Wales are subject to hosepipe bans as water companies struggle with dwindling water levels Credit: EPA Suppliers including Thames Water, South East Water, and Anglian Water have brought in restrictions, asking households to turn off the hose to protect dwindling water levels. Where are there currently hosepipe bans in the UK? Here is the breakdown of affected regions for every major supplier across the UK: Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Affinity Water: Active since July 11 (Central region, including parts of Herts, Beds, Bucks, Berks, Surrey, and North/West London). Anglian Water: Active since July 11 (Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, and East Midlands). Cambridge Water: Active since July 17 (Cambridgeshire area). South East Water: Active in Kent since July 3. Extends to Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire from 12.01am Saturday, July 25. South West Water: Active since July 14 (Mid Devon and parts of East Devon). Southern Water: Active since July 10 (Hampshire and Isle of Wight). Thames Water: Active since Thursday, July 23 (London and Thames Valley). Customers are urged to cut use immediately. Welsh Water: Active since July 19 (Mid and South Ceredigion, North Pembrokeshire, and parts of North Carmarthenshire). Essex & Suffolk, Severn Trent, and South Staffs Water are currently on conservation warnings asking households to save water voluntarily, though formal bans remain under review. No restrictions are currently in place for Northumbrian Water, Scottish Water, United Utilities, Wessex Water, and Yorkshire Water. Across the Irish Sea, Northern Ireland Water has not introduced a mandatory hosepipe ban for customers across the region, but is asking the public to restrict non-essential outdoor water use. The hosepipe bans in place in England – Mid and South Ceredigion, North Pembrokeshire and parts of North Carmarthenshire are also under a Welsh Water ban Credit: PA Most water companies offer a quick postcode checker on their official website. If you are unsure who supplies your home, check your latest water bill. Most read in The Sun What can and can’t you do during a hosepipe ban? Under Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991, water suppliers have legal powers to restrict non-essential outdoor water use during periods of high demand. Anyone caught breaching a hosepipe ban without a valid exemption risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000. You cannot use a mains-connected hose, sprinkler, or automated spray to water grass, garden borders, or potted plants. Washing private cars, vans, motorbikes, or leisure boats using a hose is prohibited. You cannot hose down patios, driveways, decking, paths, walls, or windows. Filling or topping up paddling pools, swimming pools, hot tubs, or garden ponds with a hose is also banned. But you can still water plants or wash your car if you manually fill a watering can or bucket straight from the tap. Rainwater collected in water butts or “grey water” (such as saved bath or dishwashing water) is also fine to use. Fitted garden irrigation systems with a timer and pressure reducer that deliver water directly to plant roots are also generally allowed. Blue Badge holders or customers on the Priority Services Register who cannot carry a watering can due to health conditions are exempt. When will restrictions be lifted? Hosepipe bans are rarely lifted quickly, and for water companies to remove restrictions, reservoirs and rivers must recover to safe seasonal levels. Water firms have warned that restrictions are likely to remain in place throughout the rest of the summer and well into autumn. Anglian Water said restrictions will remain in place “until water resources recover”, adding that they expect restrictions to be in place throughout the summer, but they “won’t keep them any longer than necessary.” An Affinity Water spokesperson said the ban will remain in place until “water resources have recovered sufficiently and demand has returned to a sustainable level. “We’re monitoring conditions closely and will lift the restrictions as soon as it’s appropriate to do so.” During Thames Water‘s 2022 restriction period, the company demonstrated how far into the autumn bans can run – lifting their ban only in late November. Until then, suppliers are urging everyone to take shorter showers, turn off taps while brushing teeth, and reuse greywater where possible. Comment now