Anglian Water Hosepipe Ban Status 2026
Published: June 24, 2026 · Updated:
TUB Active: East of England (except Hartlepool) in force since 10 July 2026
- Status
- In force
- In force since
- 10 July 2026
- Area
- East of England, except Hartlepool
- Maximum fine
- £1,000 maximum per violation
- Last verified
- 2026-08-03
Anglian Water declared a Temporary Use Ban on Friday 10 July 2026, its first since 2012, across its East of England region with one exception: Hartlepool, supplied by the separate Hartlepool Water in its own resource zone, is not covered. The sections below set out the enforcement date, who is covered, why Anglian Water declared it, and what you can still do.
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.
Why Anglian Water Declared This Restriction
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.
What is Banned, What is Allowed
Restricted uses: Watering gardens and plants; cleaning private vehicles; cleaning paths, patios, walls, windows and other artificial outdoor surfaces; filling or maintaining swimming pools, paddling pools and hot tubs; filling or maintaining ponds and ornamental fountains; cleaning private leisure boats. Sprinklers, pressure washers, dripper hoses and automatic irrigation systems connected to the mains supply are restricted alongside handheld hosepipes.
Watering with a watering can or bucket is always allowed. Water drawn from a water butt or another recycled or stored water system rather than the mains supply is unrestricted. Anglian Water lists exceptions covering Priority Services Register customers who cannot make reasonable adjustments because of a health condition or disability; uses necessary to protect human or animal health and safety; animal welfare, including the care of pets, livestock and fish; religious practice; and specific business needs. Anglian Water's drought plan also permits watering newly laid turf and newly sown lawns for up to 28 days (four weeks) after laying, where watering by can is not a practical option. Exceptions and their conditions are set out in Anglian Water's own Temporary Use Ban notice; check it before relying on any exception.
Exemptions differ between companies. Before relying on one, check Anglian Water's own notice. For the newly laid turf rule, see our 28-day new turf exemption guide, and for the commercial rules our hosepipe ban rules for businesses.
Fines and Reporting
Maximum fine: £1,000 maximum per violation.
Breaching the Temporary Use Ban is an offence under Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991, carrying a fine of up to £1,000 on prosecution. Anglian Water has said it will focus on helping customers understand the restrictions before pursuing enforcement.
Reporting channel: Anglian Water customer services and its online water-saving contact form.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a hosepipe ban in the East of England right now?
Yes. Anglian Water announced a Temporary Use Ban on Friday 10 July 2026, its first since 2012. Restrictions are in place from the announcement and become legally enforceable from 01:01 on Saturday 11 July 2026. More than 5 million water-supply customers are affected across the East of England.
Does the Anglian Water hosepipe ban cover Hartlepool?
No. The ban applies across the Anglian Water region with one exception: Hartlepool. Hartlepool is supplied by Hartlepool Water, a separate Anglian Water entity that draws on its own limestone aquifer sources and treats water at Dalton Piercy, in its own water resource zone. Hartlepool Water customers are not covered by this Temporary Use Ban. Anglian Water says water resources there are not under the same pressure as elsewhere in the region. Almost no news coverage mentions this exclusion.
When exactly does the Anglian Water ban start?
There are two dates and they mean different things. Restrictions are in place from Friday 10 July 2026, the day Anglian Water announced them. They become legally enforceable from 01:01 on Saturday 11 July 2026, which is the point at which a breach can be prosecuted. Anglian asks customers to observe the restrictions from the announcement, not from the enforcement moment.
Which counties does the Anglian Water hosepipe ban cover?
Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Peterborough and Suffolk, plus parts of Leicestershire. Hartlepool, supplied by Hartlepool Water, is excluded. If you are in Cambridge itself you may be supplied by Cambridge Water rather than Anglian Water; the two share the CB and PE postcode areas. Check your water bill.
What is restricted under the Anglian Water TUB?
Watering gardens and plants; cleaning private vehicles; cleaning paths, patios, walls, windows and other artificial outdoor surfaces; filling or maintaining swimming pools, paddling pools and hot tubs; filling or maintaining ponds and ornamental fountains; and cleaning private leisure boats. Sprinklers, pressure washers, dripper hoses and automatic irrigation systems connected to the mains are restricted alongside handheld hosepipes.
What is the fine for breaching the Anglian Water hosepipe ban?
Up to £1,000 on prosecution, under Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991. Anglian Water has said it will focus on helping customers understand the restrictions rather than moving straight to enforcement.
Why has Anglian Water declared a hosepipe ban now?
Anglian Water cites the second driest spring on record in its region, when only 39 per cent of the expected rainfall fell, combined with exceptionally high demand during three successive heatwaves. Rivers across the region are at notably or exceptionally low levels and reservoirs are less full than usual for the time of year. East Anglia is the driest region of the UK by long-term average.
Can I water newly laid turf under the Anglian Water ban?
Anglian Water's drought plan permits watering newly laid turf and newly sown lawns by hosepipe for up to 28 days (four weeks) after laying, where watering by can is not a practical option. The wording and conditions differ between companies, so check Anglian's live Temporary Use Ban notice before relying on it. An established lawn gets no such exemption.
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.
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Source of record: Anglian Water's own status page, last checked 2026-08-03. We do not publish a hosepipe ban on the strength of a news report. Updates posted as water companies declare, modify, or lift restrictions.