Temporary hosepipe restrictions are now in effect in Yorkshire due to the driest and warmest spring in 132 years, resulting in the region being declared in drought.
The following activities are prohibited during these temporary restrictions:
– Using a hosepipe to water gardens
– Using a hosepipe for cleaning private vehicles or boats
– Watering plants with a hosepipe on residential or non-commercial properties
– Filling or maintaining domestic swimming pools, paddling pools, hot tubs, or cold-water plunge pools with a hosepipe
– Using a hosepipe for recreational domestic purposes
– Filling or maintaining a domestic pond or ornamental fountain with a hosepipe
– Cleaning walls or windows of homes using a hosepipe
– Cleaning paths or patios with a hosepipe
– Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces with a hosepipe
Residents can still wash their cars and water their gardens without a hosepipe by using tap water from a bucket or watering can, or by utilizing non-tap water sources such as grey water, rainwater collected in a water butt, or private boreholes.
Businesses may use a hosepipe if it is essential for commercial purposes; however, using a hosepipe for non-essential tasks, such as cleaning paths outside a business, is not permitted.
Exemptions apply to Blue Badge holders and individuals on Yorkshire Water’s Priority Services Register or WaterSure tariff for medical reasons.
Dave Kaye, Yorkshire Water’s director of water, stated, “We are enforcing these hosepipe restrictions now to conserve water for the months ahead and protect Yorkshire’s environment. We ask everyone to refrain from using hosepipes for gardening, car washing, or other activities.”
“Implementing these restrictions was not an easy decision, and we have made every effort to avoid this situation. Our region faced an exceptionally dry spring, leading to drought status in June. Typically, this season sees our groundwater sources and reservoirs replenished by variable weather, but that has not happened in 2025, with reservoir levels declining since late January.”
“While there have been some recent periods of variable weather that provided slight relief, they have been followed by sustained high temperatures and dry conditions, increasing water demand. From April to June, we supplied an additional 4.3 billion liters compared to a typical year.”
“We appreciate our customers for their efforts in saving water thus far. It is crucial that we all continue these efforts.”
Yorkshire Water has been actively managing water resources for months, utilizing a regional grid system to balance supplies. The company has been repairing leaks around the clock, achieving the lowest leakage levels in Yorkshire’s history. Customers have been kept informed about reservoir levels and the impacts of hot, dry weather, and have been encouraged to reduce consumption through measures like using water butts for rainwater collection or shortening shower times.
In the long term, Yorkshire Water is investing £406 million to replace over 1,000 km of water mains to minimize leaks and bursts, as well as installing 1.3 million smart meters to help detect leaks.
The utility is also enhancing water treatment facilities in the region and developing new water sources, with borehole projects underway in Brayton and East Ness to introduce new raw water supplies.
Source: Yorkshire Water
