General · 11 July 2026
Hosepipe bans stop outdoor water use, with £1,000 fines for breaking rules
Water companies introduce hosepipe bans to conserve water when demand is elevated or supply is diminished. If you're under a ban, you can't use a hosepipe to water gardens, wash vehicles, or fill pools, with fines up to £1,000. United Utilities, which supplies 3 million households, uses a statutory drought plan to decide when a ban is needed.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs