Hosepipe Ban in Devon 2026: Is Devon Affected?
Published:
Most of Devon has NO hosepipe ban. South West Water's ban covers only parts of Mid and East Devon: Tiverton, Cullompton, Bampton, Honiton, South Molton, Dunkeswell, Axminster, Lyme Regis and surrounding areas. It is in force from 12:00 (noon), Tuesday 14 July 2026. If you are outside those areas, no restriction applies to you.
South West Water's hosepipe ban covers named areas of Mid and East Devon only. Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay are NOT covered, and Crediton is not currently included. Most of Devon is unrestricted.
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 Devon
South West Water
TUB Active in PARTS of Mid and East Devon only (from noon, 14 July 2026)Dates: In force from 12:00 (noon), Tuesday 14 July 2026
Banned: Within the affected areas only: watering a garden with a hosepipe; cleaning a private car with a hosepipe; cleaning patios, paths and other outdoor surfaces with a hosepipe; cleaning private leisure boats; filling or maintaining swimming pools and paddling pools.
Still allowed: Per South West Water's own exceptions page, Blue Badge holders, customers on South West Water's WaterSure tariff because of a medical condition, and customers on its Priority Services Register are exempt from the ban. Watering with a watering can or bucket is unrestricted, and a hosepipe connected to a water butt or any other recycled water storage system is NOT restricted. Grey water, rainwater and private borehole supplies are unrestricted.
Fine: £1,000 maximum per violation.
Full detail on the South West Water page.
Which parts of Devon are actually banned
The ban covers parts of Mid and East Devon only:
- Tiverton
- Cullompton
- Bampton
- Honiton
- South Molton
- Dunkeswell
- Axminster
- Lyme Regis
- and surrounding areas
Not covered: This ban does NOT cover Cornwall, Plymouth, Exeter, Torbay or the rest of the South West Water region, and Crediton is not currently included. Most South West Water customers are not restricted. Lyme Regis is in Dorset, so this is not a Devon-wide ban either.
The boundary is drawn around named towns, not postcodes, so towns in the same postcode area can fall on opposite sides of it. Our postcode checker cannot resolve it for you. Check the affected-area list for your address.
What you can still do in Devon
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 Devon?
Only in part. Most of Devon has no hosepipe ban. South West Water's Temporary Use Ban covers parts of Mid and East Devon only: Tiverton, Cullompton, Bampton, Honiton, South Molton, Dunkeswell, Axminster, Lyme Regis and surrounding areas. This ban does NOT cover Cornwall, Plymouth, Exeter, Torbay or the rest of the South West Water region, and Crediton is not currently included. Most South West Water customers are not restricted. Lyme Regis is in Dorset, so this is not a Devon-wide ban either. If you are outside the named areas, no restriction applies to you and there is no fine.
Which water company supplies Devon?
South West Water supplies most of Devon. 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 Devon 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 Devon postcodes such as EX, PL, TQ 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 Devon 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