As temperatures increase in the UK, many gardeners will be tackling drought in their gardens. The record-breaking temperatures of 2022 in the UK saw 40.2 degrees celsius recorded on 19 July 2022 at Heathrow, breaking the previous record of 38.7 degrees recorded in Cambridge in July 2019. Last year was the warmest summer on record according to the Met Office.
This week a red extreme heat warning has been issued by the Met Office with temperatures looking set to rise to as high as 40C. It is the first time a red extreme heat warning has been issued by the Met Office since 2021.
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Hosepipe ban
Is there a hosepipe ban in the UK?
Not yet, but while this is the case at the time of writing, if the warm weather continues this may change and water companies are encouraging responsible water use, including using a watering can instead of a hosepipe.
Hosepipe bans are due to a lack of rainfall and extreme temperatures, and aims to protect the river habitats that the water is extracted from. The use of hosepipes to water gardens, clean cars and fill pools will be restricted.
Other suggestions include:
- Re-use paddling pool water over several days
- Take shorter showers
- Only run washing machines and dishwashers on full loads
What is a hosepipe ban?
A hosepipe ban is a ban on using excessive water due to water shortage. Under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, during a water shortage utility companies may prohibit the following uses of water:
- watering a garden using a hosepipe
- cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe
- watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe
- cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe
- filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool
- drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use
- filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe
- filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain
- cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe
- cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe
- cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe
During a hosepipe ban you can still water your garden with the use of a watering can. If you break the rules of a ban though, you could face a hefty fine of up to £1000.
How much water does a hosepipe use?
Every ten minutes, the average hosepipe will use 170 litres of water. According to Southern Water, a sprinkler can use as much water in one hour as a family of four in a whole day. So even if there isn't a hosepipe ban, cutting down on automated watering systems in the garden can be a good idea and be better environmentally.
When was the last hosepipe ban in the UK?
As hosepipe bans are enforced by individual water companies, they often come into force in different parts of the country at different times. In the last few years, a notable ban was brought in in August 2018 by United Utilities which affected 7 million people in the North West of England. In 2022, water companies from Yorkshire to Wales imposed bans. In 2025 the UK saw multiple hosepipe bans throughout July.
Other ways to water the garden
Watering the garden can be done using a watering can, especially if you have lots of things in pots. This means you can give specific plants the optimum amount of water instead of giving the garden a general soak. It's also a good idea to collect rain water in water butts. This saves on using mains water, it's good for the environment and plants often prefer rainwater.
Click here for more info on when to water plants in hot weather.
