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Written question asked by James McMurdock (Independent (affiliation)) on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 September 2026. It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Water Supply: Shortages

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of permitting exempt households to use hosepipes for non-essential purposes during temporary hosepipe bans on water conservation.

Answer

Water companies are responsible for deciding whether to implement a Temporary Use Ban during periods of water scarcity and must do so in accordance with their statutory drought plans and the relevant legislative framework.

The local water company can decide whether certain activities are exempt from the TUBs in their area. A common approach to applying discretionary exceptions is adopted by water companies (as outlined in Water UK code of practice).​

Customers meeting statutory or discretionary exception criteria, may continue using hosepipes, but are encouraged to use water responsibly and efficiently. Exemptions are unlikely to materially undermine the effectiveness of TUBs because they are generally targeted at activities that are either essential for health, safety or animal welfare, commercial activities where water use is relatively small and specific customer groups such as Blue Badge holders or Priority Services customers.

Research by the Environment Agency found that where TUBs had been used they can reduce the amount of water companies put in their distribution network by 3 to 5%, helping supplies last longer.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
26461
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Conservation Exemptions Households Water supply Shortages
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk