Thames water hose pipe ban

middlewife

Coming into force in 23rd. However, not all gloom and doom. You can

Use 30cm hose to fill watering cans

Water domestic food crops if you can't reasonably use watering cans

Water newly planted trees up to 3 years old.

So, I think given my current state of health, I'll be ok. Have bought a festival trolley to push cans down to bottom of garden, but might have to hose some plants as lifting anything more than a few times (ie 4) will set me back

Good luck everyone, dreading the bill...

Exodi

That's nothing, South East water (my provider) implemented a hosepipe ban in Kent (where I live) on the 3rd July.

This was following the hosepipe ban they implemented last year on 18th July 2025, which wasn't lifted until 5th February 2026 (you read that right).

I guess you could say well at least by (being forced to) use less water, people pay less right? Well mostly, but unfortunately as I'm an assessed rate customer (unmetered) while I'm forced to use less, I'm charged the same 😀

twopenny

That's a very reasonable allowance or distribution Middlewife. Heartily approve of being able to water home grown veg and young fruit trees.

Yes there's ways and means when you can't carry heavy stuff. 😉

-taff

If you are registered disabled you are exempt, yuo can also go to their webiste and exempt yourself…halfway down the page, 18

https://www.thameswater.co.uk/help/temporary-hosepipe-ban/legal-notice

Sapindus

Interesting "30cm hose to fill a can". I have a three foot length which Anglian water on FB told me was OK, then they emailed to say absolutely it was not, then ten days later they email again to say actually yes you can use a short length to fill a can, but they didn't say 30cm!

henry24

Has anyone ever been prosecuted for using a hosepipe

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82079053#Comment_82079053

Nope, as it certainly would have been reported, and it hasn't.

Alfrescodave

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6676985/thames-water-hose-pipe-ban

Having to water using watering cans probably means that you'll use less water than when you use a hose pipe. So in effect your water bill should be less.

Just trying to put some positivity on a depressing situation.

Silvertabby

No ban here, but it's only a matter of time. We are both fit early 70s, but hauling watering cans round the garden isn't a happy way to spend an hour or two. Even if we only concentrate on new plants, potted stuff and the greenhouse crops it's still a faff!

We are on a meter, so wouldn't object if we could pay a little extra just to be able to hosepipe the garden (not the lawn) - but can't see that happening.

Dustyevsky

Did anyone mention the data centres?

Oh, maybe not a good idea. Cabbages versus virtual girlfriends = no contest, eh? 🤣

Farway

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82080563#Comment_82080563

Don't mention the data centres, or grid capacity 🤡