Hosepipe Ban in Cornwall 2026: Is Cornwall Affected?
Published:
Yes, for most of Cornwall. Cornwall is covered by South West Water's hosepipe ban. The whole South West Water supply area, being Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset, and the Isles of Scilly in force since 8 August 2026. Watering with a can or bucket is still allowed, and there are exemptions. Check your postcode to confirm your address is included.
Cornwall is supplied throughout by South West Water, whose hosepipe ban covers its whole supply area from 00:01 on Saturday 8 August 2026, so the whole county is included. Cornwall was genuinely outside the earlier ban: from 14 July that restriction covered named Mid and East Devon towns only, which is why coverage published before 7 August says Cornwall is unaffected. The Isles of Scilly, administratively separate from Cornwall but sharing the TR postcode area, are also covered.
Check your exact address
Supply boundaries do not follow county lines. The only reliable answer is your postcode.
Check your postcode →The hosepipe ban in Cornwall
South West Water
TUB Active: The whole South West Water supply area, being Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset, and the Isles of Scilly in force since 8 August 2026Dates: The whole South West Water supply area, being Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset, and the Isles of Scilly in force since 8 August 2026
Banned: South West Water says the ban covers anything connected to the mains supply, including sprinklers, irrigation systems and pressure washers as well as hosepipes. You must not use one to water a garden, wash a car, fill a paddling pool, swimming pool or hot tub, clean a patio or driveway, or clean walls and windows. Water can still be used as normal for drinking, flushing toilets, washing and cooking.
Still allowed: From South West Water's own exceptions page: the ban does not apply if you are on its Priority Services Register and cannot make reasonable adjustments because of a health condition or disability, if you are a Blue Badge holder, where water is needed to protect human health and safety, or for animal welfare including pets, livestock and fish. Customers on the WaterSure tariff for medical reasons are also automatically exempt. Water that is not from the mains, such as a water butt or other recycled storage, is not restricted at all, and there is no restriction on using a watering can. Specific garden exceptions: turf laid within the last 28 days, newly bought plants for their first 14 days, trees, hedges and saplings planted within the last planting season where a watering can is not feasible, food crops at home or on a private allotment on the same condition, drip or trickle irrigation with a pressure-reducing valve delivering water to the soil, and sports pitches where watering is necessary, outside the peak hours of 8am to 10am and 5pm to 9pm.
Fine: £1,000 maximum per violation.
Full detail on the South West Water page.
What you can still do in Cornwall
A hosepipe ban restricts the hosepipe, not the water. Watering with a can or bucket is always allowed, collected rainwater and greywater are unrestricted, and the exemptions are wider than most people realise. For the full allowed-versus-banned list and how it differs by company, see what you can still do under a hosepipe ban. If you have newly laid turf, the 28-day new turf exemption may apply.
Explore the wider picture
- Is there a hosepipe ban in my area? the national picture and every county.
- UK hosepipe ban map colour-coded by region.
- Postcode checker the exact answer for your address.
- Hosepipe ban fines explained the £1,000 penalty and how enforcement works.
- UK hosepipe ban hub every company and status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a hosepipe ban in Cornwall?
For most of Cornwall, yes. Cornwall is supplied by South West Water, which has a Temporary Use Ban in force. The whole South West Water supply area, being Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset, and the Isles of Scilly in force since 8 August 2026. Check your postcode to confirm your address is within the ban area.
Which water company supplies Cornwall?
South West Water supplies most of Cornwall. Boundaries can still cross the county line, so confirm your supplier on your water bill or with the postcode checker.
Is a hosepipe ban set by the council or the water company?
The water company, not the council. A Temporary Use Ban is declared by your water company under Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991. That is why the answer depends on your supplier and not on which county or district you live in.
How do I check if my Cornwall postcode is affected?
Use our UK postcode checker, which maps your postcode to its water company or companies and shows each one's current status. Because Cornwall postcodes such as TR, PL can span more than one supplier, the checker returns every candidate with a note to confirm on your bill.
What is the fine for breaking the Cornwall hosepipe ban?
Up to £1,000, imposed by a court under Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991. South West Water typically starts with education and a warning rather than moving straight to prosecution. See our fine and enforcement guide for detail.
County-to-company routing is a guide, not a guarantee: water supply boundaries follow historical infrastructure, not county lines. The definitive answer for your address is the postcode checker and your water bill. ← Back to UK hosepipe ban status