Hosepipe Ban in Northamptonshire 2026: Is Northamptonshire Affected?
Published:
Yes. Northamptonshire is covered by Anglian Water's hosepipe ban. In place from 10 July 2026 (enforceable from 01:01, Saturday 11 July 2026). Watering with a can or bucket is still allowed, and there are exemptions. Check your postcode to confirm your address is included.
Parts of Northamptonshire follow Anglian Water and parts follow Severn Trent; 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 Northamptonshire
Anglian Water
TUB Active: East of England (enforceable from 11 July 2026)Dates: In place from 10 July 2026 (enforceable from 01:01, Saturday 11 July 2026)
Banned: 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.
Still allowed: 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.
Fine: £1,000 maximum per violation.
Full detail on the Anglian Water page.
What you can still do in Northamptonshire
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 Northamptonshire?
Yes. Northamptonshire is supplied by Anglian Water, which has a Temporary Use Ban in force. In place from 10 July 2026 (enforceable from 01:01, Saturday 11 July 2026). Check your postcode to confirm your address is within the ban area.
Which water company supplies Northamptonshire?
Anglian Water supplies most of Northamptonshire. 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 Northamptonshire 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 Northamptonshire postcodes such as NN 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 Northamptonshire hosepipe ban?
Up to £1,000, imposed by a court under Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991. Anglian 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