Hosepipe ban exemptions for businesses

The ban does not apply to:

• plants, crops, fruit and vegetables grown specifically for commercial sale
• irrigation systems that drip or trickle, with a time and pressure-reducing valve, that deliver water directly to soil.

Garden borders and display areas where the plants aren’t for sale are not permitted to be watered with a hosepipe.

A hosepipe may be used to care for the health and welfare of animals, for example:

• filling drinking water buckets and troughs
• cleaning water bowls and troughs
• filling a pond that serves as an animal's primary source of drinking water
• washing an animal when this is necessary for its health, welfare or veterinary treatment
• cleaning an animal enclosure, stable, kennel or similar area.

Hosepipes are permitted to irrigate commercial crops.

A hosepipe may be used to care for the health and welfare of animals, for example:

• topping up fishponds when needed to protect the health and survival of fish or other wildlife living in them
• maintaining water levels for livestock, zoo animals, or fish stocks
• filling up a pond to keep fish or other aquatic animals healthy
• filling up an ornamental fountain if it is needed to supply oxygen to fish.

A hosepipe may be used to water newly planted shrubs, plants and turf, during the first 28 days after planting.

After this period, hosepipes and sprinklers may not be used.

A hosepipe may be used for normal business practices for building and construction.

A hosepipe may be used by businesses that clean vehicles as a service to other businesses, or members of the public may use a hosepipe where it is not possible to use a bucket or sponge.

Where it is not possible to use a bucket or sponge, a hosepipe may be used for cleaning commercial or public service vehicles such as:

• buses, taxis and rental vehicles
• agricultural vehicles
• military vehicles
• emergency service vehicles
• hearses
• recovery vehicle
• catering and mobile shops
• goods vehicles and any vehicle over 3.5 tonnes.

We encourage commercial vehicle cleaning services and car washes to use recycled water systems rather than free-flow mains supply.

Hosepipes may be used to clean windows, patios or boats if they are provided as a direct professional service to customers.

A hosepipe may be used for:

• grassed areas used for sport or recreation where necessary for health and safety, but only the active playing area
• golf courses – this is generally limited to greens and tee areas.

Gardens, borders and lawned areas where sport isn’t played are not permitted to be watered with a hosepipe or sprinkler.

The following are not affected by the ban:

• swimming pools for public use
• commercial operators managing paying-guest facilities like hot tub rentals or splash pads.

A hosepipe may be used for:

• National Plant Collections and heritage gardens
• large-scale tree planting
• gardens used to protect the health and safety of people and animals
• turf that has been laid within the last 28 days
• trees, hedges and saplings planted within the last three years, where it is not feasible to use a watering can
• temporary garden or flower displays created for public viewing.

Hosepipes and sprinklers can’t be used to water public parks, gardens, planters or hanging baskets. These can only be watered with a watering can.

The ban does not apply to any service that is provided for public health, hygiene, or safety reasons, including:

• large-scale tree planting
• grave digging
• trees on urban streets where there is no grass.

The ban does not apply to pools used as part of a religious ceremony in a place of worship or community setting.

The ban does not apply if you need to:

• clean a boat as part of a business or professional service
• clean a boat for health and safety reason
• fill a water tank to be used for washing, cooking or sanitation purposes
• clean a boat to make it more fuel efficient
• clean an engine that can only be cleaned by a hosepipe.