Southern Water Hosepipe Ban Status 2026
Published: June 24, 2026 · Updated:
TUB Active: Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in force since 10 July 2026
- Status
- In force
- In force since
- 10 July 2026
- Area
- Hampshire + Isle of Wight only (NOT Sussex)
- Maximum fine
- £1,000 maximum per violation
- Last verified
- 2026-08-03
Southern Water's Temporary Use Ban covers its Hampshire and Isle of Wight supply area ONLY, the second year running for the region. It does NOT apply to Sussex, which the company's managing director described as resilient after higher rainfall over the past year. Verification note: Southern Water's website blocks automated checks and an older page still shows the autumn 2025 lift message in search results, so the status here was re-confirmed on 18 July 2026 from the absence of any 2026 lift announcement, which for around a million customers would be widely reported. The sections below set out the start date, who is covered, why Southern Water declared it, and what you can still do.
Seen 'the hosepipe ban has now been lifted' on Southern Water's website? That is last year's message. An older page on Southern Water's site, still appearing in search results, carries the autumn 2025 lift announcement: the 2025 ban ran from 21 July 2025 and was lifted on 31 October 2025. The 2026 ban is separate. It began on Friday 10 July 2026 for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, it remains in force, and no lift has been announced.
Coverage Area
Southern Water supplies Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent and Sussex. The Temporary Use Ban applies to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight supply area ONLY. Southern Water has confirmed the ban does NOT apply to its Sussex customers, and it does not apply to its Kent customers either.
Southern Water serves approximately 4.6 million; about 1 million affected by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight TUB.
Not sure of your supplier or whether your address is covered? Use the postcode checker. Official site: Southern Water Services Ltd.
Why Southern Water Declared This Restriction
Spring 2025 was the driest in 132 years and summer 2025 the hottest on record since 1884. Winter 2025-26 recharge in southern England was below normal. The River Test, which supplies most of the water used across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, is running well below normal for the time of year, and Southern Water describes its levels as critically low, around 25 per cent below normal for the time of year. The Test and Itchen are chalk streams, an internationally rare habitat that the company cites as the reason for restricting demand. June 2026 was England's warmest June on record (a provisional 37.7 degrees Celsius at Strumpshaw Hill, Norfolk, on 26 June, per the Met Office), and successive heatwaves drove peak demand to near-record levels across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight network. On 10 July 2026 the Environment Agency declared prolonged dry weather for the region. This is the second year running that Southern Water has declared a TUB for Hampshire and IoW; the 2025 ban ran from mid-July into October, which is a reasonable guide to how long the 2026 restriction could last if rainfall stays low. Sussex, supplied from different sources, is not restricted.
What is Banned, What is Allowed
Restricted uses: 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.
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.
Exemptions differ between companies. Before relying on one, check Southern Water's own notice. For the newly laid turf rule, see our 28-day new turf exemption guide, and for the commercial rules our hosepipe ban rules for businesses.
What you can still do under the Southern Water ban
Each rule below is from Southern Water's own notice or FAQ. Other companies word these differently, so this list is Southern Water only.
- New lawns and planting. Newly laid turf may be watered by hosepipe for 28 days after laying, but you must request permission from Southern Water first. This application step is stricter than most companies apply. (Southern Water, verified 2026-07-18)
- Drip irrigation. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are exempt, as is hand watering with a shut-off nozzle. (Southern Water, verified 2026-07-18)
- Business services. Commercial purposes, for example commercial vehicle washing, are exempt. (Southern Water, verified 2026-07-18)
Fines and Reporting
Maximum fine: £1,000 maximum per violation.
First offences typically warned before fine; repeated violations after warning attract financial penalty.
Reporting channel: Southern Water customer services or online TUB report form.
UK Lawn Care During Southern Water Restrictions
UK lawns are cool-season grasses (Perennial Ryegrass, Fescue blends, Bent). Under a TUB you can keep your lawn alive with selective watering-can use in the early morning. Raise mower to 50 to 60 millimetres. Stop fertilising entirely. Allow some browning. The lawn will recover when autumn rain returns. Sussex customers are not restricted, but the same technique saves water anyway.
See our keep your lawn alive under a hosepipe ban guide, and overseeding during a hosepipe ban for the September window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the Southern Water hosepipe ban been lifted?
No. The 'hosepipe ban has now been lifted' message circulating in search results is Southern Water's autumn 2025 announcement: the 2025 ban ran from 21 July 2025 and was lifted on 31 October 2025 after a wet autumn. The 2026 ban is a separate restriction that took effect on Friday 10 July 2026 across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and as of 18 July 2026 it remains in force with no lift announced. When Southern Water does lift it, the company will publish a formal notice, and our updates changelog will record it the same day.
Is there a hosepipe ban in Hampshire and Isle of Wight right now?
Yes. Southern Water's Temporary Use Ban for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight took effect at 00:01 on Friday 10 July 2026. This is the second year running for the region. Approximately 1 million customers are affected.
Does the Southern Water hosepipe ban cover Sussex?
No. The ban covers Southern Water's Hampshire and Isle of Wight supply area only. Southern Water has confirmed it does not apply to its Sussex customers; the company's managing director described Sussex as resilient following higher rainfall over the past year. Sussex customers are asked to use water carefully, for example by avoiding filling paddling pools, but they face no legal restriction and no fine.
When did the Southern Water hosepipe ban take effect?
The ban started at 00:01 on Friday 10 July 2026. Southern Water announced it in early July after river levels on the Test fell well below normal for the time of year, and a third summer 2026 heatwave arrived. The Section 76 notice and formal terms are published on the Southern Water website.
Why has Southern Water declared a TUB?
To protect the River Test and the chalk streams it feeds. The Test supplies most of the water to homes and businesses across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and Southern Water describes its levels as critically low. Chalk streams such as the Test and Itchen are an internationally rare habitat. Prolonged dry weather and the third heatwave of summer 2026 drove demand to near-record levels.
What is the fine for breaching the Southern Water hosepipe ban?
The maximum fine for breaching the Southern Water TUB is £1,000 per violation. In practice, first-time offenders typically receive a warning rather than a fine; repeated violations after warning are more likely to attract financial penalty.
What can I still do under the Southern Water hosepipe ban?
You can water with a bucket or watering can (always allowed). Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are exempt. Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is exempt. Collected rainwater is unrestricted. Priority Services Register customers with medical needs may have specific exemptions. Commercial uses such as commercial vehicle washing are exempt.
Can I water newly laid turf under the Southern Water ban?
Newly laid turf may be watered by hosepipe for 28 days after laying, but Southern Water asks customers to request permission first. That is stricter than most companies, which grant the exemption without an application. An established lawn gets no exemption at all.
How do I check if my postcode is in the Southern Water TUB area?
Southern Water serves the SO, PO, parts of BN, TN, CT, and ME postcode areas, but the TUB covers only the Hampshire and Isle of Wight supply area. SO and PO postcodes are the core of that area; BN (Sussex) customers are not restricted. For the exact boundary use the postcode checker on the Southern Water website.
Counties Southern Water Serves
County guides exist for the areas listed below. For any other part of the Southern Water area, use the postcode checker rather than a county page:
Not sure your area is covered? Is there a hosepipe ban in my area? or use the postcode checker.
← Back to UK water restrictions overview
Source of record: Southern Water's own status page, last checked 2026-08-03. We do not publish a hosepipe ban on the strength of a news report. Updates posted as water companies declare, modify, or lift restrictions.