IWNL are introducing Temporary Use Bans (TUBs) in the areas listed below, or are consulting on the implementation of these.
You can enter your postcode here to see if you are affected.
Please also look at our frequently asked questions.
What do Temporary Use Bans (TUBs) prohibit?
Temporary Use Bans (TUBs) prohibit the use of hosepipes, sprinklers, dripper hoses, automatic irrigation systems and similar devices for the following:
- Watering a garden using a hosepipe
- Cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe
- Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe
- Cleaning a private 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, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe
- Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe
- Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe
South East Water – Kent and Sussex Region
We’re under consultation on implementation of a Temporary Use Ban (TUB) from 12th August 2022 in Kent and Sussex for everyone who has their water supplied by us, via a bulk supply from South East Water. Please click here to see IWNL’s notice for the South East Water Kent and Sussex Region.
This will affect our customers in the postcode areas shown in the table below and on the map opposite.
| Site Name | Postcode Areas |
| Chilmington Green | TN23 |
| Cockering Road | CT1 |
| Turners Hill Road | RH19 |
| Sutton Road | ME17 |
| Sportsman’s Farm | ME19 |
| Thanet Way | CT5 |
This consultation will close at 23.59 on 11th August 2022. Please make representation concerning any of these prohibitions by emailing waterresources@iwnl.co.uk or in writing to:
IWNL Drought Representations Team,
Driscoll 2
Ellen Street
Cardiff
CF10 4BP
Southern Water – Hampshire Region
We’re under consultation on implementation of a Temporary Use Ban (TUB) from 12th August 2022 in Hampshire for everyone who has their water supplied by us, via a bulk supply from Southern Water. Please click here to see IWNL’s notice for the Southern Water Hampshire Region.
This will affect our customers in the postcode areas shown in the table below and on the map opposite.
| Site Name | Post Code Areas |
| North Whiteley | SO30, SO32 |
This consultation will close at 23.59 on 11th August 2022. Please make representation concerning any of these prohibitions by emailing waterresources@iwnl.co.uk or in writing to:
IWNL Drought Representations Team,
Driscoll 2
Ellen Street
Cardiff
CF10 4BP
Am I Exempt from a Temporary Use Ban (TUB)?
There are pre-approved exemptions for certain categories of people or uses of water, and if one of these applies to you then you can use your hosepipe for this reason. You will not need to apply for an exemption but we may question your use of an exemption if reports of hosepipe usage are received.
These pre-approved exemptions are:
- 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.
People who may find it hard to make adaptations and are registered with IWNL’s Priority Services 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 find out more here.
To find out in more detail what you can and can’t do during a Temporary Use Ban, as standard, please click here.
If you are using a hosepipe to do the following on behalf people registered on IWNL’s Priority Services Register Customer, you can apply to IWNL for an exemption:
- watering a garden attached to a domestic dwelling
- watering plants on domestic premises
You can apply for an exemption by emailing wateresources@iwnl.co.uk or writing to us at:
IWNL Drought Representations Team,
Driscoll 2
Ellen Street
Cardiff
CF10 4BP
Frequently Asked Questions
We have:
- Emailed all customers and/or texted them with information and a link to our website
- Advised the water retailers, although at this stage businesses are not affected, we would ask everyone to find ways to help reduce the demand for water
- Written to the MP’s and councillors representing the communities we serve.
- Briefed our staff about the ban so they can let customers who contact us know.
- Created a dedicated website page iwnl.co.uk/drought to host useful information for customers and other water users.
A temporary ban is necessary because:
- Exceptional high demand across the region has resulted in multiple water supply issues across the network
- It is an important way to reduce demand. They help us to maintain essential supplies for drinking and sanitation and give water companies time to treat and pump water through the network
Despite asking for voluntary restraint, the demand for water has remained high. We have to take action to ensure that there is drinking water available for all, including our vulnerable customers and for essential uses.
The combination of factors experienced this summer are unprecedented, and even more severe than those experienced in the COVID-19 summer lockdowns. For England, it has been the driest 8 months since 1975/76, whilst rainfall for July has been at just 8%, combined with record breaking temperatures.
Yes, there are, please view the full list here.
It is likely that it will continue until we are confident that the demand for water has returned back to manageable levels. We will keep the position under constant review. This is a short temporary measure to help us in these very unusual circumstances.
We will publish a notice in newspapers. We will also email and text our customers, and update our website.