Yorkshire Water declares hosepipe ban after driest, warmest spring
Yorkshire Water has confirmed a Temporary Usage Ban (TUB) on hosepipes, starting Friday, 11 July 2025, in response to the driest and warmest spring ever recorded in the region. Between February and June, Yorkshire saw just 15 cm of rainfall, which is less than half the typical expectation, prompting an official drought declaration in June.
Reservoir levels have plunged to 55.8% capacity, about 26 percentage points below the norm for this time of year. Dave Kaye, Yorkshire Water’s Water Director, emphasised the urgency: “action was necessary now to help conserve water and protect Yorkshire’s environment.”
Restrictions and exemptions
Under the new ban, domestic use of hosepipes is prohibited for:
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Gardening, car washing, filling private pools, cleaning patios or outdoor surfaces.
However:
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Buckets and watering cans may still be used.
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Businesses can operate hosepipes strictly for commercial purposes.
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Exemptions apply to blue badge holders and individuals on medical tariffs (e.g., Priority Services Register or WaterSure).
Breaching the ban could lead to hefty fines—up to £1,000—as indicated by local reports.
Why now – climate and demand factors
This spring has marked the driest in 132 years for Yorkshire, and also the warmest on record. The prolonged dry weather has increased domestic demand for water at the same time as refilling sources have dwindled.
Since late January, reservoir stocks have been steadily falling. Similar drought conditions are emerging across north-west England and elsewhere, with warnings being issued from water industry bodies.
These TUBs enable Yorkshire Water to apply for drought permits from the Environment Agency, allowing additional river abstraction and reduced compensation flow from reservoirs—essential steps to maintain reservoir levels.
Environmental and customer concerns
Mark Lloyd, CEO of the Rivers Trust, cautioned that such measures could be expanded nationally, saying:
“Sadly, the measures will also probably include drought permits … which will have severe impacts on river wildlife.”
Yorkshire Water serves roughly 5 million customers across Yorkshire, plus parts of Lincolnshire and Derbyshire. The company, owned by Kelda Group, distributed around £84 million in dividends last year.
Regulatory pressures are rising: under the new UK Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, bonuses are banned for poor performance. Its CEO opted out of a bonus this year following scrutiny over burst pipes and pollution lapses. Meanwhile, customers face an average annual water bill of £430, predicted to rise by 35% by 2030 to support critical infrastructure upgrades.
Looking ahead
Yorkshire Water emphasises the ban remains in place until significant rainfall recovers reservoir and groundwater levels. This could stretch into winter. They call on residents to conserve water with low-impact methods like watering cans, short showers, and rainwater harvesting.
While these restrictions aim to safeguard essential water supplies and ecosystems, their duration hinges entirely on forthcoming weather patterns. A wet autumn and winter could lift the ban—otherwise, residents should prepare for prolonged restrictions well into the colder months.
