South West Water (SWW) has slapped a county-wide hosepipe ban on Devon blaming prolonged dry weather, below average rainfall and high demand.
The ban comes into force after midnight, meaning anyone caught ignoring the rules from the early hours of Saturday (August 8) could face a fine of up to £1,000.
South West Water urged caution before reporting any potential rule breakers, saying it hoped to avoid issuing fines, calling on everyone to ‘play their part’ during the ban.
A SWW spokesman said: “A hosepipe ban carries legal force and ultimately, we are authorised to issue fines of up to £1,000 to people who ignore the rules. However, we want to avoid this wherever possible. We provide customers with information and advice to help customers understand why the restrictions are needed.
“Enforcement action may be taken in cases of repeated or serious breaches. The purpose of the ban is to protect essential water supplies and minimise impact on the environment. We hope everyone will play their part without the need for enforcement action.”
He added: “There are exceptions to the hosepipe ban that apply to particular customers or types of water use. If you see someone using a hosepipe, they may be permitted to do so under the rules. For example, some business operations that rely on water are allowed, and people with specific additional needs are exempt from the ban.
“The exceptions are set by law, rather than by us. If you think someone is using a hosepipe in breach of the rules, you might want to check the list of exceptions before reporting the activity to us.”
The restrictions mean customers are banned from using hosepipes to water gardens, wash cars, or fill pools and paddling pools.
Customers can still use water for ‘normal’ drinking, flushing toilets, washing and cooking.
The ban across the whole of the county comes just three weeks after the water giant stopped hosepipe use for parts of East Devon.
SWW on July 14 imposed restrictions on Axminster, Honiton and Dunkeswell, also Lyme Regis, in Dorset, Tiverton, South Molton, and Bampton, on the Somerset border, blaming ‘exceptionally high demand’ amid the heatwave.
Today (Friday, August 7) South West Water announced it will introduce a temporary ban on hosepipe use for all customers across Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset and the Isles of Scilly.
The water giant warned the hosepipe ban ‘carries legal force’ and fines of up to £1,000 could be served to anyone caught flouting the rules.
SWW said some businesss could continue to use hosepipes use during the ban, including car washes.
People with a disability, health condition, or Blue Badge holders are also exempt, plus pet owners and farmers amid concerns for animal welfare.
SWW blamed the hosepipe ban on multiple heatwaves, prolonged hot weather, the driest July on record added to ‘sustained high customer demand’ putting pressure on water supplies.
The water giant said it had been ‘working around the clock’ to maintain water supplies for customers.
Sam Bottomley, South West Water, said: “After an extended period of exceptionally low rainfall, combined with sustained high demand during the warmer weather, our region’s rivers and water resources are under significant pressure. This decision has considered the Environment Agency’s drought status as well as the increase in demand in our region.”
He added: “Introducing a hosepipe ban is never a decision we take lightly, and we fully appreciate the inconvenience it will cause. However, these temporary restrictions are an important step in helping to protect our rivers and essential water supplies for homes, businesses and critical services across the region.
“Every litre saved now will help protect our rivers and water resources while drought conditions continue. By making small changes to how we use water, our customers can make a real difference.”
