With Anglian Water announcing a hosepipe ban across the region, many people will understandably be concerned about the upkeep of their gardens and plants.

With temperatures continuing to top-out above 30 degrees, greenery and shrubs are evidently struggling to remain in tip-top shape.

Of course, the hosepipe ban – which will be officially enforced from 1am on Saturday, July 11 – is primarily aimed at domestic water users.

Here’s what could happen if you’re caught breaching Peterborough’s hosepipe ban ...

Hanging baskets have been placed at the Guildhall in Cathedral Square

placeholder image — Hanging baskets have been placed at the Guildhall in Cathedral Square

However, that does not mean that local authorities are unaffected by the restrictions.

“During a hosepipe ban, local authorities cannot use mains-connected sprinkler systems to water public gardens, parks, or sports pitches,” a spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said.

While this may sound significant, the overall impact will actually be quite modest:

“This only applies to a small number of bowling greens in Peterborough, which may be affected, but they will recover and grow back,” the PCC spokesperson explained.

The regionwide hosepipe ban – sometimes referred to as a ‘Temporary Use Ban’ – restricts residents from using hosepipes to water gardens, wash cars, patios and boats, or fill up swimming and paddling pools.

Customers who fail to comply with the restrictions face a possible fine of up to £1,000.

Peterborough City Council said it has measures in place to ensure it will be able to keep much of the city’s communal foliage and shrubbery hydrated during the hot weather:

“All our other water sources come from our mains standpipe at our depot, which we use for filling up bowsers for tree watering and hanging baskets, etcetera.”

This will of course be good news for supporters of the new planters which have recently adorned the Guildhall. The new floral additions are part of the council’s £1.5m city centre revamp plans, which will also see public toilets and a regular market return to Cathedral Square.

Anglian Water said the decision to impose a ban has been taken because “This year has been exceptionally hot and dry and we’re already into the third heatwave of the summer.”

The company’s Head of Strategic Asset Planning, Dr Geoff Darch, was matter of fact about how the public needs to approach using water going forward:

“We are now at the point where we need to ask customers to help by hanging up the hosepipe, letting lawns go brown, [letting] cars go dirty, and using water even more wisely to help protect the environment and ensure water remains available for all customers.”

While hosepipes are off-limits for now, keen gardeners can take solace in the fact they are still allowed to use a watering can to ensure their plants and vegetables will receive the water they need.