Peterborough Hosepipe Ban explained: What the rules say you can't do now restrictions are in place - can car wash businesses stay open and can I fill my garden pond?
Anglian Water have now introduced a hose pipe ban in Peterborough, following weeks of hot, dry weather.
People caught breaching the ban could face a £1,000 fine – but what, exactly, are you banned from doing.
What is banned under the new restrictions?
Anglian Water have provided a list of activities that you can no longer do while the ban is in p ace.
They said
:The use of a hosepipe, including using sprinklers, pressure washers, dripper hoses, automatic irrigation
systems and similar devices, is prohibited for the following (but note the exceptions section below):
1. Watering a garden using a hosepipe
2. Cleaning a private motor-vehicle (or a trailer for such a vehicle) using a hosepipe
3. Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe
4. Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe
5. Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool
6. Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use (such as hot tubs)
7. Filling or maintaining a domestic pond (manmade or natural) using a hosepipe
8. Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain (includes a cascade or any other display of moving
water, and includes filling by permanent plumbing)
9. Cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe
10. Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe
11. Cleaning other artificial surfaces using a hosepipe
Customers may still undertake the above activities (except activities 5 and 8) if they use mains water from a bucket or watering can (where this is feasible) or use water that is not sourced from the mains such as grey water, rainwater from a water butt or private boreholes
Exemptions from the ban
There are some exemptions from the ban – such as Using a hosepipe where the welfare and/or health and safety of animals including fish is paramount, using a hosepipe for any of the restricted purposes is required for unavoidable health and safety, such as removing or minimising any risk to human or animal health or safety or preventing or controlling the spread of causative agents or disease.
The legal notice also addressed car wash businesses.
The notice says: “A hosepipe can be used in the course of a business to clean private motor vehicles where this is done as a service to customers and where this cannot be reasonably done using a bucket.”
A full list of the exemptions is available at: https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/siteassets/household/environment/tubs/statutory-notice-for-temporary-use-ban.pdf
Enforcement
Anglian Water have said their enforcement policy will be ‘a Prevention First approach.’
They said: “We know most customers want to do the right thing and help save water. We’re committed to a Prevention First approach. Our priority is to help customers understand and comply with the restrictions through clear information, advice and reminders.”
They have also encouraged people to report potential breaches.
They said: “Customers can report a suspected breach of the restrictions using our online form or by contacting our customer service team.
“To help us investigate, we may ask for:
• The address where the activity took place.
• The date and time it was seen.
• The activity that was taking place.
“We do not accept photographs or videos through the reporting process.
“Please remember that some customers and activities are covered by statutory exceptions and may still be using a hosepipe lawfully.”
For more information, visit https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/help-and-advice/save-water/hosepipe-restrictions