UK Hosepipe Ban Tracker 2026: Where Bans Apply and How to Water Your Garden Legally
A live 2026 UK hosepipe ban tracker covering active and announced restrictions, water company status, exemption rules and legal ways to water your garden.
One hosepipe ban is active in England as of early July 2026: South East Water's ban covering its Kent supply area, enforceable from 3 July. Southern Water has also announced a Temporary Use Ban across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from 10 July. Hand watering, water butts and compliant timed drip irrigation remain important options for gardeners who need to water legally.
Last updated: 5 July 2026. This page is a rolling tracker. We update it when a water company announces, extends or lifts a Temporary Use Ban.
Live Status by Water Company
| Water company | Region served | 2026 status | Since / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| South East Water | Kent, including Ashford, Maidstone, Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Whitstable and Herne Bay | Ban active | Announced 25 June and enforceable from 00:01 on 3 July 2026. Applies to the Kent supply area only. |
| Southern Water | Hampshire and Isle of Wight | Announced | Enforceable from 00:01 on 10 July 2026. Customers have been asked to reduce hosepipe use before the start date. |
| Thames Water | London and Thames Valley | No ban announced | Check the water company's latest supply and drought updates before watering. |
| Yorkshire Water | Yorkshire | No ban announced | No 2026 restriction announcement found at the time of this update. |
| Anglian Water | East of England | No ban announced | No current plans announced at the time of this update. |
| Severn Trent | Midlands | No ban announced | No current plans announced at the time of this update. |
| South East Water outside Kent | Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire supply areas | No ban announced | The Kent restriction does not automatically apply to all South East Water supply areas. |
Sources for the tracker are listed at the end of this article. If your supplier is not listed, it has made no 2026 restriction announcement that we can confirm from public sources at the time of this update.
What a Hosepipe Ban Actually Forbids
A hosepipe ban is usually issued as a Temporary Use Ban under section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991. During a ban, households may be restricted from using a hosepipe connected to mains water for jobs such as watering a garden, washing a car, cleaning patios or filling pools and ornamental fountains.
Allotment plots may be treated as gardens under Temporary Use Ban rules, so gardeners in affected areas should check the exact legal notice from their own water company before using any hose-fed setup.
What You Can Still Do Under Common Exemptions
Most Temporary Use Ban notices still allow hand watering with a bucket or watering can. Many companies also allow rainwater from a water butt or greywater where it is used safely and appropriately.
For irrigation systems, the detail matters. South East Water's Kent guidance says drip or trickle irrigation can be allowed when it is fitted with a pressure reducing valve and a timer, is not handheld, and places water directly onto the soil surface. Sprinklers and jet washers remain restricted under a ban.
For practical setup ideas using an existing Johgee timer, read the related UK hosepipe ban watering guide.
Regional Fine Print
- Kent, South East Water: The Temporary Use Ban applies to customers in the Kent supply area. Check the company's latest FAQ for exceptions covering newly laid turf, young trees and customers who need extra support.
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Southern Water: The restriction starts on 10 July 2026. Check Southern Water's legal notice for exemption categories before using a hose-fed system.
- Other regions: No ban is listed here unless the water company has made a public 2026 restriction announcement that we can verify.
How to Keep a Garden Alive Through a Ban, Legally
- Switch beds and borders to timed drip. A drip line with a pressure reducing valve on a timer is often the most water-efficient way to water the root zone.
- Harvest and use rainwater. A water butt can help reduce reliance on mains water, especially for pots and greenhouse plants.
- Automate the schedule rather than the guesswork. A four-zone controller such as the Johgee 4-Zone RF Smart Water Timer can run each bed or greenhouse area on its own dawn schedule.
- Log what you set up. If there is any question about compliance, it helps to show that your system is timed, drip-fed and fitted with the right components.
Will More Bans Follow in 2026?
The Environment Agency's dry-weather reporting shows pressure from dry soils, reduced river flows and high temperatures in parts of England. Most companies remain in business-as-usual status, but local demand spikes can still trigger restrictions quickly.
The companies to watch most closely are those serving the South East and other dry-weather pressure areas. We will update this tracker as new announcements are made.
Update Log
- 5 July 2026: Tracker launched with South East Water's active Kent ban and Southern Water's announced Hampshire and Isle of Wight ban.
Sources
Need a Timed Drip Setup?
The Johgee 4-Zone RF Smart Water Timer helps split one outdoor tap into separate schedules for beds, pots, greenhouses and borders. Always check your water company's current rules before using any hose-fed system during a Temporary Use Ban.
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