The water company Wessex Water has imposed a temporary hosepipe ban across its region including Purbeck in Dorset, due to the continued drought conditions.
The ban, which is the first in the region since the hot summer of 1976, came into force at 00:01 hours on Tuesday 18th August 2026, meaning a hosepipe must not be used for any non essential purpose including washing vehicles, watering gardens, and cleaning patios.
Wessex Water at work in Swanage
Fine of up to £1,000
Breaking the ban is a criminal offence that can carry a fine of up to £1,000
While other regions like Southern Water, South West Water, and Thames Water imposed a hosepipe back in July 2026, Wessex Water has been able to avoid water use restrictions up to now because it relies more on underground bore holes than reservoirs for its water source.
The water in reservoirs more easily evaporates than water underground within limestone rock.
The company also spent £230 million building a water supply grid between 2010 and 2018, which allows it to move water quickly around the network to areas of need.
However, after the declaration of a drought, five heatwaves, and the continued lack of rain in the forecast, the water company says there has been 40 days of record-breaking demand for water.
Plants can still be kept alive by using a watering can
“We’re sorry for the inconvenience”
Wessex Water chief executive Ruth Jefferson said:
“After 50 years without a hosepipe ban in the Wessex Water region – the first since the famous drought of 1976 – this isn’t a decision we’ve made lightly and we’re sorry for the inconvenience it will cause.
“We know so many of our customers have already been taking steps to save water and we’re incredibly grateful for their support so far this summer. It makes such a difference.
“But the prolonged and extreme dry weather has meant demand across our region has consistently remained at more than 400 million litres per day, 30 per cent above average for this time of year and the equivalent of almost half a million hosepipes running for a full hour every day.
“While we’re not running out of water for essential use, our challenge has been moving water through the network quickly enough to meet these record levels of demand. This also has an impact on our underground storage reservoirs, which normally replenish with treated water quickly.”
Some plants like lavender (left) have coped with the heat but others like the hydrangea (right) have suffered due to the lack of rain
Cut back on water usage
Wessex Water is contacting larger business customers who are high water users to encourage them to avoid non-essential use.
It is also continuing to encourage households to cut back on the use of water where they can, including:
- Letting the lawn go brown as it will recover when it eventually rains
- Using a watering can to water plants
- Reusing washing up water for patio pots and moving pots into the shade so they dry out less.
- Filling up paddling pools using buckets or watering cans and covering them when not in use to prevent evaporation
- Keeping showers short and not leaving taps running while brushing teeth or doing the dishes.
- Not washing the car, but keep the windscreen and number plate clean
Exemptions to the ban
However there are some exemptions including for those with mobility, medical or other specific needs, who can’t make reasonable adjustments to their water use. An example would be someone who couldn’t physically hold a watering can due to medical issues.
The ban also applies to business customers as well as households. However, it is primarily aimed at restricting non-essential water use and some business activities may be exempt where hosepipe use is necessary for health and safety, animal welfare, food production, or other specific operational needs.
Sports grounds are allowed to continue to water pitches if otherwise they would become too hard and a safety issue.
Using a hosepipe connected to a water butt with a pump to water plants is allowed, as is a drip or trickle irrigation system.
No washing of cars with a hose
Leaks reduced by 60 percent over 30 years
Wessex Water says its repair teams have been fixing more leaks than ever during summer 2026 across its supply area, prioritising those that are wasting the most water.
In July 2026, find and fix rates for leaks increased by more than a third. It claims leakage has reduced by 60 percent in the last 30 years in the Wessex Water region.
Further information
- Full list of hosepipe restrictions and exemptions
- Anyone with mobility, medical, or other specific needs can register on Wessex Water’s Priority Services Register to receive extra support
