Is It Okay to Water My Plants During a Hosepipe Ban?

MILLIONS of households across the UK are facing hosepipe bans after an exceptionally warm and dry spring.

Major water companies have across large parts of the country to protect dwindling water levels.

Using a hosepipe connected to the mains water supply is strictly forbidden under a Temporary Use Ban (TUB) Credit: Alamy

Breaking a hosepipe ban can trigger a hefty £1,000 fine at a magistrates’ court under The Water Industry Act of 1991.

But with sprinklers silenced and hosepipes tucked away, how can green-fingered Brits keep their gardens blooming?

Can I water my plants during a hosepipe ban?

When a hosepipe ban is declared, using a hosepipe connected to the mains water supply to water your garden is strictly forbidden.

But the restriction specifically targets hosepipes, sprinklers, and — not tap water itself.

As such, the good news is that yes, you can still water your garden during a .

To do so, you’re going to need to grab a trusty watering can or bucket, as this is the main way to keep your garden legally thriving.

You’re allowed to fill up watering cans or buckets from your outdoor tap and carry them to your flowerbeds, borders, and pots.

Can I use a hosepipe to water any plants?

While general hosepipe use is off-limits, many water suppliers make for certain plants and situations.

For example, you can water fresh lawn turf with a hose for up to 28 days after it has been laid.

Saplings, hedges, and trees planted within the recent planting season (usually up to 6–12 months) can also be watered with a hose.

If you’re growing fruit and vegetables at home or on an allotment, they can often be watered with a hose if carrying heavy watering cans is not practical.

To where you live, simply into Water UK’s online supplier checker to be directed to your local water provider’s guidelines.

If you have a Blue Badge or are registered on your water supplier’s Priority Services Register (PSR), you are .

This allows you to use a hosepipe to water your garden if carrying heavy watering cans is physically unsafe or unmanageable.

Even if you or the plants in your garden “allow” you to use a hosepipe, you should try to use a watering can where possible to help protect local water levels.

Are there other ways to water plants during a hosepipe ban?

If lugging heavy cans sounds like hard work, you don’t necessarily have to abandon automated garden watering.

But standard lawn sprinklers, misters, and are strictly banned.

Instead, you can use a drip or trickle irrigation system, provided it meets the criteria required by water companies.

The system must drip water directly onto or beneath the soil surface right at the plant roots, rather than spraying water into the air.

It must also have an automatic timer installed so it cannot run continuously, and include a pressure-reducing valve to limit flow.