UK drought sees 11% of households ignore hosepipe bans

More than half of England has been declared in drought, prompting water companies to impose Temporary Use Bans – commonly called hosepipe bans – on about 23 million customers, roughly 40 % of the population. A YouGov poll of over 4,200 adults found that 11 % of households in ban areas do not intend to comply, with another 5 % undecided. While 71 % said they would not report a neighbour using a hose, 10 % said they would.

The bans, introduced by seven water firms including Thames Water, Affinity Water, Anglian Water and South West Water, allow limited uses such as watering food crops with a hose when a watering can is impractical, drip‑irrigation with timers, and certain exemptions for medical, animal‑welfare or sports‑pitch needs. Critics note numerous loopholes that let private schools, golf courses and boat owners continue using hoses.

Water companies are also losing nearly 2.9 billion litres per day through leaking pipes, and sewage overflows continue to discharge into rivers and the sea despite the dry conditions. Regional disparities are evident, such as in Kent where neighbours on the same road fall under different suppliers – some under a strict ban and others with no restrictions – leading to starkly different garden conditions.