South East Water issues Kent hosepipe ban: What you need to know

As temperatures continue to soar this week, with the UK battling another heatwave, South East Water has issued a Temporary Use Ban (TUB) across its Kent supply area, prohibiting a range of non-essential water uses such as hosepipes, filling paddling pools and watering gardens.

At the moment, it is not clear how long the ban will remain in place and the water company has not issued an exact date for when the restrictions will be lifted.

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People have been banned from filling up pools (Image: Getty Images)

Where is the hosepipe ban in place?

The ban applies to all customers served by South East Water in its Kent supply area.

Towns and areas specifically highlighted as being affected include:

• Sevenoaks
• Tunbridge Wells
• Maidstone
• Snodland
• Tenterden
• Ashford
• Faversham
• Canterbury
• Herne Bay

South East Water says the restrictions cover its entire Kent network and form part of a county-wide response to pressures on water supplies.

Why has the ban been introduced?

South East Water says sustained high temperatures and near-record demand for treated drinking water have placed significant pressure on supplies across the county.

The company says water is currently being used faster than storage tanks can be replenished, despite all available treatment works operating at full capacity.

According to South East Water, the restrictions are designed to reduce non-essential water use, protect local water resources and help ensure supplies remain available for drinking, cooking, hygiene and other essential needs throughout the summer.

A South East Water spokesperson said: "Due to high temperatures and record demand for water across Kent, a Temporary Use Ban (hosepipe ban) is now in place for customers in our Kent supply area."

What does the hosepipe ban mean?

Under the restrictions, residents must not use hosepipes, including sprinklers, irrigation systems and pressure washers connected to the mains water supply, for a number of non-essential activities.

These include:

• Watering gardens and lawns
• Watering plants at domestic properties
• Washing private cars and vehicles
• Cleaning patios and outdoor surfaces using equipment attached to a hosepipe
• Cleaning private leisure boats
• Filling or topping up swimming pools and paddling pools
• Filling hot tubs
• Filling or maintaining domestic ponds

What exemptions are in place?

Some customers and activities are exempt from the restrictions.

Customers who are registered on South East Water's Priority Services Register and cannot reasonably adapt their water use may qualify for an exemption.

Other exemptions include:

• Water use required for health and safety reasons
• Water use for animal welfare
• Certain commercial and business activities
• Use of water from water butts or recycled water systems
• Some drip and trickle irrigation systems
• Watering newly laid lawns, young trees and food crops under specific conditions

Residents who believe they may qualify for an exemption can check the full criteria on South East Water's website here.