Due to lower than average rainfall, continued hot weather and high demand, we’ve started to see a decline in river levels and need to protect some groundwater sources.
This means we must now introduce hosepipe restrictions in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire to join Kent where there are already restrictions.
We’re urging everyone across Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire who’s supplied by us to please follow these restrictions straight away, to protect your water supply immediately, and the local environment. The restrictions will be in force from 00:01 on Saturday 25 July 2026.
In Kent, hosepipe restrictions came into force from 00:01 on Friday 3 July 2026.
Why are we doing this?
There are different reasons why we’ve introduced hosepipe restrictions based on the region. Most causes are due to the record-breaking weather we’ve seen this year, and you can find out more about this from the Met Office here(opens in a new tab).
Select your region below to find out more.
What do these restrictions mean?
The restrictions mean that you should not use hosepipes for watering gardens, washing cars, patios and boats and for filling swimming and paddling pools.
We completely understand why everyone reaches for the hose when the weather gets this hot. It’s natural to want to enjoy our gardens and keep cool, and we know how frustrating it is to hear that restrictions are coming into place.
We have not taken this decision lightly and appreciate across Kent and Sussex this comes after having restrictions in three of the last five years. We also appreciate that in Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire this may be new for many of you, as we have not had to place your area in temporary restrictions in 14 years, since 2012.
Our teams have worked incredibly hard to prepare for this summer, but the sheer scale of this sustained heatwave means water resources are now falling and water is being drawn from our storage tanks faster than it can physically be treated and refilled.
Our absolute priority has to be making sure there is always enough water for everyone’s essential daily needs: drinking, cooking and hygiene.
What are we doing?
We know we must do our part, too. Our teams have been working around the clock and we are actively:
- Fixing more leaks: We have more staff than ever before on the ground repairing bursts and leaks, so we can do this faster. We’ve also found and repaired around 10 per cent more leaks in the last year, compared to the one before.
- Developing more water sources for the longer term and replacing more water pipes: We’re exploring different options, including a second reservoir near Arlington that would significantly increase our raw water storage capacity. At the same time we’re increasing the level of pipework that we replace.
- Working to protect the environment and future supplies: We’re working with farmers and landowners to improve rivers and groundwater (underground aquifers) in the Thames, Ouse and Cuckmere water catchment areas.
- Producing water at max capacity: Every available water treatment works is running at full capacity.
- Optimising the network: Operations teams are actively moving water around the network to support areas seeing the steepest drops in storage levels.
Do the restrictions apply to me?
If you are supplied by us, then you need to follow the restrictions. If you’re unsure who supplies your drinking water, you can check your water supplier by simply entering your postcode here.(opens in a new tab)
Frequently Asked Questions
To find out more about the restrictions in place, please look at our FAQs(opens in a new tab).
I think I should be exempt
There are exemptions that we apply to eligible customers. These fall into two categories:
- Customers that are on our Priority Services Register that are unable to make reasonable adjustments.
- Customers who need to use a hosepipe for other reasons, including animal welfare and business needs.
How to apply for a category 1 exemption
You can sign up to our Priority Services Register to become exempt if you identify with any of the below:
- Blind
- Chronic/Serious Illness
- Dementia
- Development Conditions
- Dialysis
- Partially Sighted
- Physical Impairment
- Restricted Hand Movement
- Temporary Hospital Recovery
- Unable to answer the door
How to apply for a category 2 exemption
The below activities are already exempt. However, if you wish to apply a note to your account to confirm your exemption, please click the button below.
- Health and safety
- Animal welfare
- Business need
- Recycled water use
- New lawn
- Trickling irrigation system
- Commercial watering
- New swimming pool
- Religious practice
Have a question?
If you have any questions about the Temporary Use Ban or how it affects you, please get in touch. Contact us here.(opens in a new tab)
Restrictions and exemptions
Hosepipe use
Restricted:
A “hosepipe” means anything designed, adapted or used to serve the same purpose as a hosepipe. This means that garden sprinklers and irrigation systems (outside of the exception), connected to the mains water supply, are all considered to be hosepipes, together with anything attached to them like pressure washers.
Exemptions:
- People who may find it hard to make adaptations and are registered with the South East Water’s Priority Service Register will be granted an automatic exemption to any of the restrictions and will receive notification of this directly. If you believe you should be on the Priority Services Register please register here.
- Where using a hosepipe for any of the restricted purposes is required for unavoidable health and safety, such as removing or minimising any risk to human or animal health or safety, or preventing or controlling the spread of causative agents or disease, this will not be restricted.
- Using a hosepipe where the welfare and/or health and safety of animals including fish is paramount will not be restricted.
- Using a hosepipe that is connected to a water butt or other recycled water storage system will not be restricted.
Gardens
Restricted:
Watering a garden using a hosepipe.
A “garden” is a private or public garden, a lawn, a park; a grass verge; an area of grass used for sport or recreation; an allotment used for non-commercial purposes; and any other green space.
A garden is not:
- Agricultural land,
- Land used in the course of a business for growing any crops, fruits, vegetables or other plants for sale or commercial use;
- Land used for National Plant Collection;
- A temporary garden or flower display (i.e. on show to the public for no more than 7 days); or
- Plants in an outdoor pot or in the ground under cover (under cover being in a greenhouse, outbuilding or under a permanent canopy).
Exemptions:
- Using a hosepipe to water an area of grass or outdoor artificial surfaces used for sport or recreation (on the active strip/ playing area only – not the whole grounds) when undertaken outside of daily peak hours that occur 8am to 10am and 5pm to 9pm.
- Drip or trickle irrigation watering systems, fitted with a pressure reducing valve and a timer, that are not handheld, that place water drip by drip directly onto the soil surface or beneath the soil surface, without any surface run off or dispersion of water through the air using a jet or mist; a fixed watering system; use of watering cans and not hoses.
- Watering of new lawns at domestic premises, where this cannot reasonably be undertaken with a watering can and the turf was laid before the onset of the ban, for a period of 4 weeks after being laid and when undertaken outside of daily peak hours that occur 8am to 10am and 5pm to 9pm.
- Watering trees, whips, saplings and hedging planted before the ban, in the last planting year, where this cannot be reasonably done by way of a watering can.
- Water food crops at domestic premises or private allotments, where this cannot be reasonably done by watering can.
Vehicles
Restricted:
Cleaning a private motor-vehicle (or a trailer for such a vehicle) using a hosepipe.
Exemptions:
- Where the cleaning is done as a service to customers in the course of a business or to clean public service or goods vehicles.
- Private motor vehicle does not mean taxis or goods vehicles or commercial vehicles.
Plants
Restricted:
Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe.
Exemptions:
- Watering plants (crops, vegetables or fruit) that are grown or kept for sale or commercial use, National Plant Collections or temporary garden or flower displays.
- Drip or trickle irrigation watering systems, fitted with a pressure reducing valve and a timer, that are not handheld, that place water drip by drip directly onto the soil surface or beneath the soil surface, without any surface run off or dispersion of water through the air using a jet or mist; a fixed watering system; use of watering cans and not hoses.
Boats
Restricted:
Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe.
Exemptions:
- Where this is done as a service to customers in the course of a business or to clean public service or goods vehicles.
- This will not apply to the inside of your boat.
Pools
Restricted:
Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool (this would include constructed, non inflatable hot tubs).
Exemptions:
- Where you do this with a water conservation recycling system or hand held container.
- Filling or maintaining a permanent swimming pool where necessary in the course of its construction or where it is designed, constructed or adapted for use in the course of medical treatment.
- When the pool is within places of worship or community pools and when they are used as part of a religious ceremony.
Domestic recreational use
Restricted:
Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use (such as hot tubs of all kinds and inflatable paddling pools).
Exemptions:
- Filling a fixed structure from empty after construction or significant refurbishment. In this case significant refurbishment should be treated as equivalent to construction. Once it has been refilled then a hosepipe cannot be used for any subsequent filling.
Ponds
Restricted:
Filling or maintaining a domestic pond (manmade or natural) using a hosepipe.
Exemptions:
- Where this is for the welfare of the fish or aquatic animals in the pond.
Ornamental fountains
Restricted:
Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain (including a cascade or any other display of moving water, and includes filling by permanent plumbing).
Exemptions:
- Where this is used as part of recognised religious practices.
Cleaning
Restricted:
Cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe.
Exemptions:
- Where this is done as a service to customers in the course of a business or to clean public service or goods vehicles.
Paths and patios
Restricted:
Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe.
Exemptions:
- Where this is done as a service to customers in the course of a business or to clean public service or goods vehicles.
Artificial outdoor surfaces
Restricted:
Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe.
Exemptions:
- Where this is done as a service to customers in the course of a business or to clean public service or goods vehicles.
Report water misuse
We’ve introduced Temporary Use Bans (TUB) for all of our supply areas.
In Kent, they are now enforceable. If you want to report someone for still using their hosepipe or sprinkler please click here.
In Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, they will come into force from 00:01 on 25 July, however, we’re urging everyone to please follow these restrictions straight away, to protect your water supply immediately, and the local environment.