More than 18 million domestic and business customers across a swathe of southern England are now - or soon will be - subject to hosepipe bans amid the heatwave20:33, 21 Jul 2026Updated 07:42, 23 Jul 2026Thames Water has become the latest supplier to announce a hosepipe ban, impacting more than 10 million of its customers.‌The ban, from this Thursday, prevents domestic and business customers from using a hosepipe for a whole host of things, from watering the garden to washing the car.‌The move by Thames means around 18 million households and businesses across southern England will be subject to hosepipe bans across the country. Around eight million already faced being fined for using a hosepipe as supplies react to the ongoing hot weather. On Monday, South East Water became the latest company to announce temporary restrictions for 2.4 million customers in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire from Saturday, having already had a ban in place in Kent. Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, Southern Water and Affinity Water have also announced restrictions.‌However, there are a number of exemptions to the ban, for a whole of reasons. These include Thames Water customers, who pay for its wastewater services - eg sewage - but get water from other suppliers, because of where they live.‌Thames WaterThe UK’s biggest water supplier's ban applies to just over 10 million domestic and business customer who it supplies with water. It doesn't apply to those customers who pay for its wastewater services - eg sewage - but get water from other suppliers, because of where they live. That said, those customers’ suppliers may have hosepipe bans in place too.The company's legal notice about the hosepipe ban includes no less than 23 main exemptions, covering a whole host of customers. There are some that cover using a hosepipe for health and safety reasons, stuck as preventing the spread of disease, as well as for farmers and other commercial growers.For individuals, it includes those with severe mobility problems - whether they hold a current Blue Badge or not - if they water their garden or allotment, clean their vehicle, or clean their window or patio.‌That's the same for customers on its Priority Services Register if they fall under one of more of 12 categories, including if they are on dialysis, suffer from a chronic or serious illness, require a nebuliser and apnoea monitor, have a condition affecting the heart, lung and/or rely on a ventilator, need to use a stair lift, hoist, or electric bed, are unable to answer the door, have a physical impairment, have dementia or a cognitive impairment, or are blind.Other exemptions include using a hosepipe for filling the water tank in a caravan or motorhome, or a new swimming pool or hottub.Anglian WaterLike Thames, Anglian says those on its Priority Services Register who are also unable to make reasonable adjustments because of a health condition or disability are exempt from its ban. Others excluded include if a hosepipe is needed “to protect human health and safety” or for animal welfare.‌A hosepipe can also be used if connected to a water butt or other recycled water storage system, rather than the mains water supply. And one can still be used for watering newly trees, hedges and saplings planted “where a watering can isn’t a practical option”. That goes the same for newly turf for the first 28 days after it has been laid, again, where this cannot be reasonably done by watering can. The same goes for newly sown grass seed for the first 28 days.And a hosepipe can be used for food crops grown at home or on private allotments where a watering can isn’t a practical option. And sports pitches and recreational playing surfaces where watering is necessary and takes place outside peak hours (8am–10am and 5pm–9pm) is still allowed. Others include business car washes, commercially grown crops, or where water features where they are needed to keep fish healthy.‌Affinity WaterIn areas affected by a hosepipe ban, the company says customers on the Priority Services Register, on the WaterSure tariff, and Blue Badge holders can continue to use a hosepipe if they are unable to make adjustments, such as using a watering can, due to medical reasons.Like Anglian, an exemption applies to newly laid turf with a hosepipe for up to 28 days after it’s been laid. “Please note that this only applies to turf that was laid before the hosepipe ban was introduced”, the firm said.What happens if you use a hosepipe during a hosepipe ban?‌South East WaterAgain, exemptions customers registered with the South East Water’s Priority Service Register will be granted an automatic exemption to any of the restrictions. It also doesn’t apply where using a ban would cause a “risk to human or animal health or safety”.Like others, a hosepipe can still be used when it’s connected to a water butt. And watering of new lawns at home is allowed for a period of four weeks after being laid and when undertaken outside of daily peak hours that occur 8am to 10am and 5pm to 9pm.Watering trees, saplings and hedging planted before the ban is allowed, where it can’t reasonably done with a watering can.The same goes for watering food crops in gardens or private allotments.‌Swimming pools and paddling pools can’t be filled but those within places of worship or community pools and when they are used as part of a religious ceremony can still be filled with a hosepipe.Southern WaterIts ban impacts applies to 791,000 customers in 336,000 properties in Hampshire as well as 144,000 customers in 75,000 properties on the Isle of Wight.Exemptions includes Blue Badge holders and customers who are on our Priority Services Register for medical or mobility reasons.Article continues belowAlso allowed is watering sports pitches' active playing areas, plants grown for sale or in temporary public displays, cleaning paths and patios for health or safety reasons, new turf up to four weeks after laying, and fruit and vegetables grown in gardens and allotments "for personal consumption" if a watering can isn't possible.