Anglian Water Hosepipe Ban Status 2026

Coverage Area

The Anglian Water region across the East of England, covering Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Peterborough and Suffolk, plus parts of Leicestershire. The Temporary Use Ban applies across the region with ONE exception: Hartlepool. Hartlepool is supplied by Hartlepool Water, a separate Anglian Water entity drawing on its own limestone aquifer sources and treatment works at Dalton Piercy, in its own water resource zone. Hartlepool Water customers are not covered by this ban. Anglian Water's own reason is that water resources in that area are not under the same pressure as elsewhere in the region.

Anglian Water serves more than 5 million water-supply customers.

Not sure of your supplier or whether your address is covered? Use the postcode checker. Official site: Anglian Water Services Ltd.

Drought Outlook

East Anglia is the driest region of the UK by long-term rainfall average. Spring 2026 was the second driest on record in the Anglian region, delivering only 39 per cent of expected rainfall. Three successive heatwaves through June and early July 2026 drove demand to record levels. Anglian Water reports rivers at notably or exceptionally low levels and reservoir storage below normal for the season. Grafham Water, Pitsford, Rutland Water and Alton Water are the region's critical reservoirs. Hartlepool Water, in the north of the Anglian group's footprint, draws on separate limestone aquifer sources and is outside this ban.

UK Lawn Care During Anglian Water Restrictions

A formal TUB is in force, so hosepipe watering of lawns is restricted from 01:01 on 11 July 2026. Watering with a can or bucket remains legal at any time, as does water from a butt or other stored supply. Newly laid turf and newly sown lawns may be watered by hosepipe for up to 28 days after laying where a can is not practical, per Anglian's drought plan; check the live notice for conditions. East Anglian lawns are primarily Perennial Ryegrass with Fescue blends. Raise the mower to 50 to 60 millimetres, stop fertilising, and let the lawn brown off; it will recover when autumn rain returns.

See our keep your lawn alive under a hosepipe ban guide, and overseeding during a hosepipe ban for the September window.

Counties Anglian Water Serves

County guides exist for the areas listed below. For any other part of the Anglian Water area, use the postcode checker rather than a county page:

Not sure your area is covered? Is there a hosepipe ban in my area? or use the postcode checker.