Fines up to £1,000 if you defy Yorkshire hosepipe ban

The ban - implemented by Yorkshire Water - comes into effect on Friday, August 26.

The UK has seen one of its driest periods since the 1976 summer heatwave. As a result, the government could declare a national drought in the coming weeks.

Yorkshire Water says the lack of rainfall means the measures are now "necessary" after the "trigger point" has been reached.

Which activities does the ban cover?

You will be unable to water your garden, clean your vehicles or water your plants with a hosepipe.

Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool goes against the ban too.

Also banned is drawing water for domestic recreational use, cleaning walls or windows of domestic premises, cleaning paths or patios, and cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces.

It is the first hosepipe ban in the region for 27 years

People can still undertake the above activities without using a hosepipe if they use tap water from a bucket or watering can; or use water that is not sourced from taps such as grey water, rainwater from a water butt, or a private borehole, for example. 

Businesses will be allowed to use a hosepipe if it is directly related to a commercial purpose.

Lower Laithe Reservoir, near Haworth. Picture: Gary Allan/T&A Camera Club

There are restrictions on using a hosepipe if not for those essential commercial needs – so using a hosepipe to clean a path outside a business property, for example, would not be allowed.

Blue badge holders, those on Yorkshire Water’s Priority Services register or WaterSure tariff for medical reasons, are also excluded from the ban.

What is the punishment if you go against the ban?

Anyone caught using a hosepipe can face a £1,000 fine and prosecution under Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991.

Easy hacks you can follow to save water

• Be dishwasher savvy - ensure that it is fully loaded with dirty dishes before use, and always opt for the eco setting if your dishwasher has one.
• Brew for two - only boil the amount of water required for your brew round. Think twice about how much water you actually need before ending up with too much-boiled water for your cup of tea.
• Scrape - rinsing dishes is a common culprit for wasting water. Simply scrape away any leftover food. If you do need to soak your pots, pans or plates, do so in a basin instead of running water.
• Collect the cold - cold showers are not for everyone, and collecting cold water in the shower whilst waiting for it to heat up is an easy way to reuse water that otherwise would’ve gone to waste. Use it around the house or garden to water your plants.
• Four-minute showers - cutting down on your time spent in the shower - even by a minute - could save on water use.
• Rain, rain, don’t go away - collecting rainwater in garden water butts is a great way to save water as it conserves the collected rainfall for use during the drier, hotter weather. You can pick one up at most DIY or garden centres, or for a more cost-effective solution, you can simply leave several containers outside to naturally fill with rainwater.
• Eliminate the competition - Weeds grow quickly and compete with your plants for valuable moisture, so regular weeding ensures that your watering is not wasted on weeds and instead, helps your beautiful garden plants thrive.
• Time it right - water your plants early in the morning, or in the evening, so that water doesn’t evaporate in the heat of the day before your plants get a chance to soak it up. Similarly, infrequent soaks rather than frequent sprinklings will save on water usage and also encourage roots to search for water deeper in the ground.
• Layer up - mulching is a great tip for retaining moisture in gardens during the hotter weather. Adding a layer of leaves, bark or compost over your flower bed helps to retain moisture and reduce the need for watering.