Hosepipe bans are being brought in for parts of the UK, as the prolonged hot and dry weather shows no signs of letting up.
If you're in an affected area, it means no watering your lawn or plants, filling a paddling pool or washing your car with a hosepipe.
Anyone caught breaking the rules can be fined up to £1,000 or in, the worst cases, taken to court.
With the Met Office warning there is “very little meaningful rain” on the way, there are concerns the restrictions could last until October.
Thames Water, which supplies more than 10 million customers across London and Thames Valley, has announced it will bring in a temporary hosepipe ban "in the coming weeks", though hasn't set an exact date yet.
South East Water is introducing a ban, affecting Kent and Sussex, tomorrow (August 12) after telling customers to snitch on neighbours they see breaking the rules.
In Wales, Pembrokeshire is restricting hosepipe use from August 19.
Elsewhere, Southern Water has already banned customers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from using hosepipes as of August 5.
There is a long list of things you can't do under the restrictions, but is there anything you can do without risking a fine?
The short answer is yes, there are some exemptions to the ban.
When can you use your hose during the ban?
People may still be able to use a hosepipe without being fined if:
- It is not connected to mains water, such as using a water butt or other recycled water storage system – though hosepipes cannot be used to fill these
- It is needed for health and safety reasons – such as removing or minimising risk to humans or animals – but only where this can't be done without a hosepipe
- The welfare and/or health and safety of animals (including fish) would otherwise be affected – meaning hosepipes can be used for their drinking or living requirements
- You are unable to, or may find it hard to, make adaptations and are registered with a Priority Services Register
South East Water says people may be questioned if it receives reports of hosepipe use.
Some other exemptions may also apply in specific circumstances, depending on where you live. These could include:
- Watering new lawns for the first 28 days after it is laid, as long as it is outside of daily peak hours (8am to 10am and 5pm to 9pm)
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Watering grass or surfaces used for sport or recreation
- Watering plants that are grown or kept for sale or commercial use
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Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain for religious practices
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Cleaning outdoors surfaces, in certain circumstances, if it is being done as a service to customers as part of a business
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Cleaning public service or goods vehicles, including taxis
If you live in an area affected by a hosepipe ban, check with your local water provider for the full details of the rules and exceptions that apply to you.
