What do temporary use bans mean for your business?

A hosepipe ban, also known as a Temporary Use Ban (TUB), is a restriction put in place by water companies to try and save water during periods of high demand or low supply.

People living in areas where there is a ban are not allowed to use a hosepipe or sprinklers. That includes watering a garden or plants, washing vehicles, paths, patios or windows or filling a swimming pool, paddling pool or hot tub.

Why do we have TUBs?

Hosepipe bans are introduced as a protective response to water scarcity. When rainfall is significantly below average and reservoir levels drop, water companies may put temporary restrictions in place to safeguard essential supplies.

The UK is no stranger to unpredictable weather patterns. Despite the UK’s reputation for rain, prolonged dry spells (especially in spring and summer) can lead to drought conditions. During these times, the demand for water often increases, particularly for outdoor use like gardening or car washing. Hosepipe bans help reduce this non-essential usage so that water remains available for critical needs such as drinking, cooking and sanitation.

These bans also help protect infrastructure and ecosystems. Excessive water use during dry periods can reduce river flows and harm wildlife habitats. By limiting non-essential usage, hosepipe bans help maintain balance until conditions improve.

Hosepipe bans are a temporary but vital tool for managing environmental stress and ensuring that everyone has access to clean, safe water when it’s most needed.

What a temporary use ban means for your business

While hosepipe bans often target domestic water use, businesses also play an important role in conserving water during shortages. Whether you're running a garden centre, a car wash, a hotel or a corporate office, small changes in operations can make a big difference.

Businesses have the opportunity to set the tone for responsible water use. By visibly adapting practices, such as installing water-saving fixtures or scheduling maintenance to avoid leaks, companies can demonstrate environmental leadership and significantly cut down consumption.

Businesses can use hosepipe bans as an opportunity to educate both their customer base and employees. Using signage, social media and customer communications to explain how your business is responding to the ban builds trust and raises awareness of the importance of water conservation. Training staff on water-saving practices, like using buckets instead of hoses, reporting leaks promptly or adjusting cleaning routines, ensures that conservation efforts are consistent across the organisation.

Hosepipe bans are a reminder that water is a shared, finite resource. Whether you're a homeowner, a business owner or part of a larger organisation, how you respond during these periods matters.

By understanding the reasons behind hosepipe bans and taking proactive steps to reduce water use, we can all help protect our communities, our environment and our future. Businesses, have a unique opportunity to lead by example by adopting sustainable practices, educating staff and customers and showing that conservation is not just responsible, but achievable.

Looking for practical ways to reduce your water usage?  

Explore our Water Efficiency Tools - designed to help businesses of all sizes monitor, manage and minimise their water consumption.

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