Hosepipe Ban in Hampshire 2026: Is Hampshire Affected?
Published:
Yes. Hampshire is covered by Southern Water's hosepipe ban. 10 July 2026 (enforceable from 00:01). Watering with a can or bucket is still allowed, and there are exemptions. Check your postcode to confirm your address is included.
Parts of Hampshire around Portsmouth are served by Portsmouth Water, which has no ban; confirm your supplier on your bill.
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 Hampshire
Southern Water
TUB Active: Hampshire & Isle of Wight (from 10 July 2026)Dates: 10 July 2026 (enforceable from 00:01)
Banned: Watering a garden or plants with a hosepipe; using a sprinkler system; cleaning a private motor vehicle with a hosepipe; cleaning walls, windows, paths and patios with a hosepipe; filling or maintaining swimming pools, paddling pools, hot tubs, ponds and ornamental fountains; cleaning private leisure boats.
Still allowed: Watering with watering can or bucket always allowed. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses exempt. Hand watering with shut-off nozzle exempt. Priority Services Register customers with medical needs may be exempt. Commercial purposes (e.g. commercial vehicle washing) exempt. Newly laid turf may be watered by hosepipe for 28 days after laying, but Southern Water requires customers to request permission first, which is a stricter condition than most companies apply. Collected rainwater is unrestricted.
Fine: £1,000 maximum per violation.
Full detail on the Southern Water page.
What you can still do in Hampshire
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 Hampshire?
Yes. Hampshire is supplied by Southern Water, which has a Temporary Use Ban in force. 10 July 2026 (enforceable from 00:01). Check your postcode to confirm your address is within the ban area.
Which water company supplies Hampshire?
Southern Water supplies most of Hampshire. 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 Hampshire 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 Hampshire postcodes such as SO, PO, GU 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 Hampshire hosepipe ban?
Up to £1,000, imposed by a court under Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991. Southern 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