A hosepipe ban is coming into place in parts of Wales from later this month, Dwr Cymru has announced. The water supplier says it is necessary to ensure that supplies can be maintained through the summer and into the autumn.
The ban on using hosepipes comes into force from August 19 and will affect Pembrokeshire and parts of Carmarthenshire. It has been the driest year since 1976, which combined with record temperatures and an increased demand for water, means reservoirs in Pembrokeshire area are approaching drought levels. The Met Office say Wales saw the driest July since 2006, with 52mm of average rainfall and only 53% of the rain that would be expected in that month.
From 8am on Friday, August 19, a hosepipe ban will come into force for customers in Pembrokeshire meaning customers will not be able to use a hosepipe to carry out activities in and around their properties such as watering plants or filling paddling pools or hot tubs.
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Southern Water announced the first hosepipe ban of the year in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, while South East Water has become the second water company to announce restrictions today with a hosepipe ban for 2.2 million homes in the south east of England from a week on Friday. Meanwhile Thames Water, South West Water and Wales Water have warned that they may need to introduce restrictions, reports The Times.
Pembrokeshire has only seen just over 60% of the expected rainfall between March and July. Dwr Cymru say since the dry weather started it has undertaken a number of activities to help conserve water including increased detection and repair of leaks, plus the use of water tankers to respond to peak periods of demand in some parts of the county.
Ian Christie, Welsh Water’s managing director of water services said: "We have not seen such prolonged dry conditions in Pembrokeshire since 1976. Introducing the hosepipe ban is not a decision we have taken lightly, however if we are to make sure there is enough water to see us through the rest of the summer and into the autumn then we need to act now to try and prevent any further restrictions later on. The ban will apply to just over 2% of the three million population we serve in Wales. More broadly we do not intend to introduce restrictions more widely across our operating area.
"We have done a lot of work to communicate with customers in the area over the past few months about the importance of not wasting any water and we really do appreciate the steps people have already taken. We would urge everyone now across Pembrokeshire to respect the ban and not use a hosepipe. There are exceptions, particularly for those holding a Blue Badge or on our Priority Service Register. A full list of what people aren’t allowed to do under the ban and the exceptions can be found on our website. We will also be writing to all customers that will be affected and publicising the ban more widely in the area."
What is a hosepipe ban?
It should be noted that restrictions vary between each water provider. Usually, the hosepipe ban means that a hose cannot be used to water gardens or clean cars, however it is more directed at domestic uses and would not affect commercial users, such as garden centres. Anyone breaking the rule can face a fine of up to £1,000.
Exactly where is covered by the ban?
Here is the map from Dwr Cymru:
What can't I do?
- Water a garden or plants
- Fill a domestic swimming pool, paddling or hot tub
- Fill a pond or ornamental fountain
- Clean a car, walls or windows of a house
- Clean paths, patios or other surfaces like decking
- Clean a private leisure boat using a hosepipe
What can I do?
To water a new lawn within 28 days of it being laid
- For business use, for example garden centres
- To fill pools needed for medical treatment
- To fill a fountain used for religious practices
- To top up a fishpond
Can I ask for an exemption?
There are some exemptions which can be applied, which includes people on our Priority Services Register or who hold a Blue Badge. You can see the full list online
Dwr Cymru will run a seven day consultation period between August 10 and 17. If anyone would like to make a representation to the company to be considered for an exemption not already outlined in the ban, then they should do so during that period.
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