Are hosepipe bans coming to Dorset?
We've asked all water suppliers in Dorset to tell us their plans
Last updated 11th Aug 2022
As rivers and reservoirs up and down the country show lower water levels and the Government calls for hosepipe bans to be introduced to all households in the UK, we've been finding out how Dorset water suppliers plan to deal with the consequences of dry weather.
Across parts of England and Wales, including Dorset, a Met Office amber warning for extreme heat comes into force today (Thursday) until Sunday, with temperatures set to climb to 35C or even 36C in some places.
Temperatures are set to climb into the 30s in Dorset, as parts of the UK face water shortages and fires ahead of a new heatwave.
To deal with complications from the unusual dry weather, hosepipe bans are being introduced by water supply companies in some parts of southern England and Wales.
It means that people living in these areas will not be allowed to use hosepipes to water lawns or plants, to clean cars or fill paddling pools; or face paying a £1,000 fine.
Hosepipe bans by Southern Water, which supply water to customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, came into force on Friday.
Meanwhile, in Kent and Sussex, households will face measures from tomorrow (Friday, 12 August), according to an announcement by South East Water.
What's a hosepipe ban?
Restrictions on usage during hosepipe bans can vary between water providers but generally people are not allowed to use hosepipes or anything that connects to a hosepipe or an outside tap.
It's up to the water companies to impose a ban or restriction on the use of hosepipes and sprinklers in their area, which they can do if there is a serious shortage of water.
These bans or restrictions must be approved by the government - but that shouldn't pose an issue as George Eustice, Environment Secretary, has called on hosepipes to be banned to all.
George Eustice said some firms have already “rightly” taken action to mitigate the effects of the prolonged dry weather and has encouraged others to follow suit.
His remarks, the first public intervention by ministers, signal possible water usage restrictions for millions more people across southern England in the coming days.
During a ban, people cannot use a hosepipe to:
- Water a garden or plants
- Fill a paddling. swimming pool or a pond
- Clean a car, walls or windows
Exceptions can include:
- Watering a new lawn within 28 days or it being laid
- Filling pools needed for medical treatment
- Filling a fountain used for religious practices
- Topping up a fishpond
- For business use
Anyone found breaking the rules could face a fine of up to £1,000.
Know if you're affected
Depending on where you live in Dorset, you'll have your water supply serviced by either one of these companies: South West Water, Wessex Water or Bournemouth Water.
So, what are their plans?
In a statement, Wessex Water told us their reservoir and groundwater levels are "below average" but "nothing unusual" for this time of the year.
The supplier added that they have "no prospect of a hosepipe ban" in Dorset and that currently, they are not facing supply issues, but have asked customers to "use water responsibly".
A Wessex Water spokesperson said:
“There are no supply problems in the Wessex Water region but we always encourage our customers to use water responsibly for the benefit of everyone and the environment.”
We've asked South West Water if plans for a hosepipe ban were being drawn up.
The company announced on August 3 that it may have to make the "difficult decision" to introduce restrictions, "if the exceptional levels of demand and sustained dry weather continues".
In a more recent statement, South West Water told us that while they have "no immediate plans to implement water restrictions", they are urging customers to cutdown on the use of non-essential water, and have specifically urged people to avoid using hosepipes in the garden.
A spokesperson for South West Water said:
"Overall, we are confident that we have sufficient water in our reservoirs and rivers. However, continued high demand and low rainfall will put strain on these precious resources.
"We always ask customers to think about their water usage and we are now urging customers to avoid non-essential water use such as filling paddling pools and using a hosepipe in the garden and for washing cars. "
South West Water added that it will be "constantly reviewing" their position due to the current hot and dry weather period toppled with high levels of demand.
We've posed the same question to Bournemouth Water, who are yet to impose a hosepipe ban but told us they "may have to make the difficult decision to introduce formal restrictions over the coming weeks".
A Bournemouth Water spokesperson said:
"If the exceptional levels of demand and sustained dry weather continues we may have to make the difficult decision to introduce formal restrictions over the coming weeks to limit the pressure on resources and to protect the environment.
"We continue to review our position and will keep customers and communities fully informed via our website, social media channels as well as through the media."