Summer Lawn Salvation: Unraveling Loopholes in Hosepipe Bans to Save Your Garden - Key Insights into the Regulations
Hosepipe Ban Exemptions for New Lawns
During a hosepipe ban in England, watering newly laid turf and freshly-sown grass seed is subject to certain exemptions, as outlined by Yorkshire Water, Thames Water, and South East Water.
| Water Company | Watering Newly Laid Turf | Watering Freshly-Sown Grass Seed | Additional Notes | |------------------|-------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Yorkshire Water | You can water newly laid turf with a hosepipe for up to 28 days after laying. Use the hosepipe sparingly and for short periods. | You can water grass seed with a hosepipe for the first 28 days; after that, use a watering can. | Filling a watering can from your tap using a hosepipe is prohibited during the ban. Use alternative water sources to fill cans. | | Thames Water | Hose or sprinkler use is permitted for watering newly laid turf only if the laying was completed by a professional business as a service, for up to 28 days from planting. | Same 28-day rule applies if sowing was done by a business service. | Hosepipe use must be restricted strictly to the new turf. | | South East Water | Hosepipe use allowed up to 4 weeks (28 days) after turf laying if this cannot reasonably be done with a watering can and turf was laid before the ban started. Avoid watering during daily peak hours (8am-10am and 5pm-9pm). | Similar conditions apply for grass seed, though specifics are not detailed beyond the turf exception. | Emphasizes reasonable alternatives (watering can) first and time restrictions for watering. |
All three companies allow watering of newly laid turf for up to 28 days during a hosepipe ban, but Thames Water restricts this to new turf laid by a paid business service. South East Water adds extra restrictions on timing and encourages avoiding hosepipe use during peak hours. Yorkshire Water permits 28 days of hosepipe watering for both turf and grass seed but urges sparing and mindful use.
After the first 28 days, watering must be done without a hosepipe (such as using a watering can) to comply with the bans. These rules are designed to be temporary and specific to newly established lawns to protect water resources during droughts while helping customers maintain their gardens.
It is always best to double-check with your water company first, to ensure you are following the correct hosepipe ban rules. South East Water's hosepipe ban rules specify that daily peak hours for watering new lawns are 8am to 10pm and 5pm to 9pm. Each water company may use slightly different wording in their hosepipe ban rules. The article does not specify any exceptions or conditions for the 28-day rule for watering newly laid turf.
Sophie King, the Gardens Editor for our platform, joining in June 2024, has a love for gardening and has tried growing various vegetables and flowers. She emphasizes the importance of conserving water during a hosepipe ban and encourages the use of water-saving techniques such as watering cans and drip watering systems.
[1] Yorkshire Water Hosepipe Ban Rules [2] Thames Water Hosepipe Ban Rules [3] South East Water Hosepipe Ban Rules
During a hosepipe ban, it is allowed to water new lawns with a hosepipe for up to 28 days, but only Yorkshire Water allows this for homeowners, while Thames Water requires the new turf to be laid by a paid business service. Sophie King, the upcoming Gardens Editor for our platform, suggests using water-saving techniques like watering cans and drip watering systems to conserve water during a hosepipe ban.
After 28 days, watering must be done without a hosepipe to comply with the hosepipe ban rules set by each water company, helping customers maintain their home-and-garden lifestyle while protecting water resources during droughts.
