A fine of up to £1,000 is to be enforced on anyone who uses their hosepipe during the indefinite ban that begins on the Isle of Wight today (Friday).
Last week, Southern Water confirmed that on the Isle of Wight and in Hampshire a ban would be put in place for the foreseeable future, in a bid to limit excessive water usage in the region and to reduce the demand on the River Test and River Itchen in Southampton.
As of today (5th August 2022), Isle of Wight households are prevented from doing the following:
- Watering the garden or plants using a hosepipe
- Cleaning a private motor vehicle or leisure boat using a hosepipe
- Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool
- Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use
- Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe
- Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain
- Cleaning walls, windows, paths, patios or artificial outdoor surfaces at domestic premises using a hosepipe
Anyone caught using a hosepipe during this period is liable for prosecution through the criminal courts under Section 36 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. TUB restrictions will remain in place until the region has had enough rain and the river flows are back to a normal level – anticipated to be at least 21 days, although there is still no rain in sight on the weather forecast.
There are, however, some exemptions to the ruling, including if you are a blue badge holder. The exceptions typically permit commercial activity such as watering plants for sale or running a car wash.
Grass, lawns and plants can still be watered if done so with a watering can or container, whilst paddling pools can be filled using the same method.
You can also use a hosepipe if you’re using an approved drip or trickle irrigation system fitted with a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) and timer.
If you have recently laid a new lawn you can apply to Southern Water to water the new turf for a period of 28 days.
Perhaps if the water company’s fixed all the leaking pipes that loose billions of gallons of water, we wouldn’t have a watering ban…
Billions??? needs quantifying
If you Google it it’s about quarter of a billion litres a day across the U.K. (or 7% wastage)
Fixing leaking pipes means investment. Investment means less profits. Why on earth should a company that charges us to use our water invest their profits?
It’s reviewed every 21 days, so it’s not indefinite
actually it is as they have not stated a time period
My letter states it will be reviewed every 21 days
How do islands such as Tenerife and Gibraltar cope?
Probably use desemination plants, filtering sea water…I think North African nations do…
Think you mean desalination plants just to let you know
Gibraltar is not an island
Just looked up how hot country’s cope with dry environments, it’s called “Thermal Distillation” that boiling water takes out the salt from sea water….probably an expensive solution…
With hundreds of thousands of newcomers to the UK all drawing and using water and energy, it is no small wonder that supplies are under increased pressure now.
How will they know if you use your hosepipe are they assuming that neighbours will dob you in ??
Most will! Especially if your neighbours don’t like you…..however, if any of my neighbours don’t like me, that will be funny, because I’m allowed to wash my taxi because its classed has a comersial vehicle…
Taxi driver who can’t spell. Yeah the average IQ of someone like that adds up
You really only need to ensure windows are clean along with headlights, rear lights and number plates – but wait the car will only get dirty if there are massive puddles of water!
Ah, the return of the Stasi.
I just said this?
Putting a hosepipe ban in place is akin to a rain dance.
Give it a week and we’ll be drowning, and then that round of moaning and doom mongering will begin.
This is not a very difficult rule to follow to be honest. Seriously not the end of the world with this ban. If anyone has an issue with it or can’t follow this simple rule has massive priority problems. Lol
A lot of people do grow their own now and are either partly or totally self sufficient so this can be quite a headache for many
Oh well, learn to adapt like the rest of us. Lol
Fines for using water taking the piss now
I fail to see why being a blue badge holder should exempt anyone from a hosepipe ban. Ideas anyone?
Most probably because carrying watering cans will be difficult.
But getting a big garden hose reel out would be easy?
The ‘British’ car wash is thanking its lucky stars eh.
I was just saying this too, there are more disabled people with limited mobility than blue badge holders who can drive a car?
Why not fix a few of water leaks, and save billions of gallons, island Roads & Wightfibre between them have most of the islands road infrastructure dug up with no workmen in sight … organised chaos …
Island roads and wightfibre have nothing to do with our water supply lol
They may not affect the water supply but SW should visit when roads are dug up etc as you can guarantee once the road is tarmac and smooth and even open you will see SW digging it up. Why they cannot co-ordinate between them is beyond me – unless they have never heard of the word CO-ORDINATION?
Lol, do your research before posting a stupid opinion. These firms have nothing to with this water ban.
Good thing I have access to this thing called a “bucket” and a “tap”
Exactly. I can wash my car then chuck buckets of water over it. Totally legal . Water all my plants and vegetables with a watering can. Totally legal. What’s the problem ? Even fill up a kiddies play pool with buckets of water- again totally legal.
Southern water along with the Council need to invest in more water storage on the Island. To be dependant to the extent we are on the mainland is idiotic especially with the heavy rainfall in the first part of the year. The seasonal and weather changes are set to remain, we need to look to the future when perhaps even the main rivers in the south will end up as dry river beds. Houses will only be occupied if the essential necessities are readily available, I just hope we don’t end up having to use stand pipes, and mains water cut off. There has been very little noticeable investment from SW for the Island to improve system.
How many reservoirs have the council closed, built upon? I think it was 3.
Investment is not their priority, unless it’s their golden pension fund.
Heavy rainfall? When has the Isle of Wight in the past year had heavy rainfall?
So does that mean no-one has to pay a water bill for the foreseeable future as well ..?
Why would that be the case? You WILL still be using water, just not thru a hosepipe. Most are on meter, so will pay for what they use. Its not rocket science, is it?
Yes it was sarcasm ..sit back down and relax ..,☺️
Wish they would give it a rest. If its not one thing its something else. All the monies we pay to them and can’t seem to guarantee there will be water supplies. They rely on the rain lol
We’re just slowly moving into a Policed State ….Drones overhead listening in cameras everywhere …..just like 1984 ..big brother etc …
Has anyone else noticed the water that pours out of a white pipe onto the pavement outside the Venture Quays building in East Cowes it’s been doing it for months …….i Bet they don’t get fined …
I believe garden fish ponds can also be topped up?