As of 23 July 2026, eight water companies have hosepipe bans in force, covering Kent, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, East Anglia, Devon, Cambridgeshire, Affinity's Central region, parts of west Wales, and — from 23 July — London and the Thames Valley. Here is the full picture, plus who is on watch.
Temporary Use Bans — the official name for hosepipe bans — have spread across southern and eastern England, and into west Wales, through July 2026 after a dry spring and early summer. As of 23 July, eight water companies have restrictions in force and three more have issued voluntary appeals.
Which hosepipe bans are in force in 2026?
| Company | Area | In force from |
|---|---|---|
| South East Water | Kent supply area | 3 July 2026 |
| Southern Water | Hampshire and the Isle of Wight | 10 July 2026 |
| Anglian Water | Whole Anglian region (except Hartlepool) | 11 July 2026 |
| South West Water | Mid Devon and parts of East Devon | 14 July 2026 |
| Cambridge Water | Cambridgeshire and parts of Bedfordshire | 17 July 2026 |
| Affinity Water | Central region (Beds, Herts, Bucks, Berks, Surrey, Essex, N London) | 17 July 2026 |
| Welsh Water | Mid & South Ceredigion water resource zone (west Wales) | 19 July 2026 |
| Thames Water | London and the Thames Valley (water-supply customers, ~10 million) | 23 July 2026 |
The banned activities are the same in each case: using a hosepipe or sprinkler connected to the mains to water gardens, wash cars, fill paddling pools, swimming pools or hot tubs, or clean paths, patios, walls and windows. Watering with a watering can, or using water butts and grey water, remains allowed everywhere.
Areas on watch but not yet banned
Severn Trent (the Midlands), South Staffs Water and Northern Ireland Water have issued advisory appeals to use water carefully but have not imposed a formal ban. Scotland, Yorkshire, United Utilities and the North East remain under normal conditions, helped by higher reservoir levels. Thames Water, which had been on advisory watch, moved to a full ban from 23 July.
What counts as breaking a hosepipe ban?
A Temporary Use Ban is enforceable in law, and breaching one can carry a fine of up to £1,000. Blue badge holders, businesses that need water for their trade (such as car washes and garden centres), and people on certain priority-services registers are typically exempt — check your company's specific rules.
Check your area
Restrictions are changing week by week this summer. Our hosepipe ban checker tracks the live status for all 22 UK water companies, and you can see who supplies your area by entering your postcode on the water quality checker.
Source: MyTapWater restrictions tracker, compiled from water-company announcements; status verified 23 July 2026.