Cambridge Water Hosepipe Ban Status 2026
Published:
Cambridge Water announced its first hosepipe ban in over 30 years on 8 July 2026. Restrictions have been in place across the Cambridge Water region from 9 July 2026, and became legally enforceable from 01:00 on Friday 17 July 2026. Cambridge Water publishes both dates and they mean different things. Approximately 350,000 households are affected. The company cites one of the driest springs in recent years, exceptionally warm weather through June, a 30 per cent surge in demand to a record 112 million litres a day, and a responsibility to protect the groundwater sources and internationally rare chalk streams that depend on them. Cambridge Water is part of the South Staffs Water group but supplies a separate region; the South Staffs Water supply area is not under this ban.
Verified 2026-07-10 against Cambridge Water's own notice. We do not publish a hosepipe ban on the strength of a news report.
Coverage Area
Cambridge Water serves The Cambridge Water supply region, roughly 1,175 square kilometres of Cambridgeshire and parts of Bedfordshire, running from Ramsey in the north to Melbourn in the south, and Gamlingay in the west to Balsham in the east. Towns and villages served include Ramsey, Warboys, St Ives, Fenstanton, Cambridge, Cottenham and Papworth Everard. Cambridge Water is part of the South Staffs Water group but supplies a completely separate region: this ban does NOT apply to the South Staffs Water supply area in the West Midlands., covering approximately Approximately 350,000 households (about 351,000 customers).
Primary postcode areas: CB, PE. Use the postcode lookup tool (coming soon) to confirm your supplier.
Ownership: Private (South Staffordshire Plc). Official site: Cambridge Water (South Staffordshire Water PLC).
Reservoir Snapshot
Cambridge Water’s primary reservoirs feeding the service area:
- No impounding reservoirs: supply is almost entirely from chalk groundwater boreholes
Cambridge Water supplies an almost entirely groundwater-fed region, drawing from chalk aquifers rather than impounding reservoirs, which makes it unusually sensitive to a failed winter and spring recharge. One of the driest springs in recent years was followed by exceptionally warm weather through June 2026, cutting river flows and groundwater reserves while demand rose roughly 30 per cent to a record 112 million litres a day. The chalk streams of the Cam and Granta catchments, an internationally rare habitat supported by the same aquifers, are under severe pressure. This is the first hosepipe ban Cambridge Water has imposed in more than 30 years.
For current reservoir percentages, see the Environment Agency monthly water situation reports at gov.ukand the company’s own drought management plan.
What is Banned, What is Allowed
Restricted uses: Watering a garden with a hosepipe; cleaning a private motor vehicle or private leisure boat with a hosepipe; watering plants on domestic or non-commercial premises; cleaning walls, windows, paths, patios and other artificial outdoor surfaces; filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool, a hot tub, a domestic pond or an ornamental fountain; drawing water for domestic recreational use.
Watering with a watering can or bucket is always allowed, as is water from a butt or other stored supply. Cambridge Water's published exceptions include: newly laid turf may be watered with a hosepipe for 28 days after laying; newly sown grass seed may be watered with a hosepipe for the first 28 days, after which a watering can is required; standard trees, whips, saplings and hedging planted within the last three years may be hosed where they cannot be hand watered or watered with non-potable water; gardeners and landscapers may water newly laid or newly sown lawns and new planting with a hose for the first 28 days. Customers with serious medical conditions or disabilities, households on the Priority Services Register, and businesses where hosepipe use is essential to operations are also excepted. Cambridge Water asks that anyone using an exception respects the spirit of the restrictions and uses water wisely. Paddling pools may not be filled with a hosepipe.
Effective date: In place from 9 July 2026 (enforceable from 01:00, Friday 17 July 2026)
Exemptions differ between companies. Before relying on one, check Cambridge Water's own notice. For the newly laid turf rule, see our 28-day new turf exemption guide.
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. A court may fine an offender up to £1,000, payable to the Treasury. The restrictions became enforceable at 01:00 on Friday 17 July 2026; Cambridge Water asked customers to observe them from 9 July.
Reporting channel: Cambridge Water customer services and its online temporary hosepipe ban enquiry form.
UK Lawn Care During Cambridge Water Restrictions
A formal TUB is in force. Watering with a can or bucket remains legal at any time. Cambridge Water is unusually explicit on lawns: newly laid turf may be hosed for 28 days after laying, and newly sown grass seed for its first 28 days, after which you must switch to a watering can. An established lawn gets no exemption. Cambridge lawns are cool-season grasses (Perennial Ryegrass, Fescue blends). Raise the mower to 50 to 60 millimetres, stop fertilising, and allow the lawn to brown off; it will recover when autumn rain returns.
For full UK lawn-care guidance during a hosepipe ban, see our UK lawn care under hosepipe ban guide (forthcoming). US-focused techniques that translate to UK cool-season grasses are available at keep your lawn alive under water restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a hosepipe ban in Cambridge right now?
Yes. Cambridge Water announced its first hosepipe ban in over 30 years on 8 July 2026. Restrictions have been in place across its region from 9 July 2026 and became legally enforceable from 01:00 on Friday 17 July 2026. Approximately 350,000 households are affected.
When does the Cambridge Water hosepipe ban actually start?
Cambridge Water publishes two dates and they are not the same thing. Restrictions are in place from 9 July 2026, meaning the company asks customers to stop using hosepipes for restricted purposes from that date. The ban is enforceable from 01:00 on Friday 17 July 2026, which is the point at which a breach can be prosecuted and a fine of up to £1,000 imposed.
Which areas does the Cambridge Water hosepipe ban cover?
The Cambridge Water supply region, about 1,175 square kilometres running from Ramsey in the north to Melbourn in the south, and Gamlingay in the west to Balsham in the east. That includes Ramsey, Warboys, St Ives, Fenstanton, Cambridge, Cottenham and Papworth Everard. If your home is in the Cambridge Water region but supplied by Independent Water Networks, ESP Utilities Group or Leep Networks (Water), the restrictions still apply to you.
Is the South Staffs Water area under a hosepipe ban too?
No. Cambridge Water is part of the South Staffs Water group, but the two supply completely separate regions. This Temporary Use Ban applies to the Cambridge Water supply region only. South Staffs Water customers in the West Midlands are not covered by it.
Why has Cambridge Water declared a hosepipe ban?
The company cites one of the driest springs in recent years followed by exceptionally warm weather through June 2026, which cut river flows and groundwater reserves, while demand rose roughly 30 per cent to a record 112 million litres a day. Cambridge Water supplies an almost entirely groundwater-fed region and says it has a responsibility to protect the groundwater sources and the internationally rare chalk streams that depend on them.
What is the fine for breaching the Cambridge Water hosepipe ban?
Up to £1,000, imposed by a court under Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991 and paid to the Treasury. The restrictions became enforceable at 01:00 on Friday 17 July 2026.
Can I water newly laid turf or grass seed under the Cambridge Water ban?
Yes, within limits. Cambridge Water's own FAQ says newly laid turf may be watered with a hosepipe for 28 days after laying, and newly sown grass seed may be watered with a hosepipe for its first 28 days, after which you must use a watering can. Trees, whips, saplings and hedging planted in the last three years may be hosed where they cannot be hand watered. Cambridge Water asks that you respect the spirit of the restrictions while doing so. An established lawn gets no exemption.
How do I check if Cambridge Water supplies my postcode?
You cannot tell from the postcode alone. Cambridge Water's supply area is defined by civil parishes and water quality zones, not postcode boundaries, and the CB and PE postcode areas are split between Cambridge Water and Anglian Water. Both companies are now under a hosepipe ban, but the dates differ. Confirm your supplier on your water bill.
Neighbouring Water Companies
Cambridge Watershares borders with the following water companies. If your postcode straddles a boundary, the neighbouring company’s status may also be relevant:
Counties Cambridge Water Serves
County pages for the areas Cambridge Water supplies. Each funnels to the postcode checker for the exact answer at your address:
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: Cambridge Water's own status page, last checked 2026-07-10. Updates posted as water companies declare, modify, or lift restrictions.