Hosepipe ban in London: Full list of exemptions as restrictions come in to force

The move was announced by Thames Water earlier this week and follows a number of similar bans in the South-East of England.Officials say 23 million people across England are now under or facing restrictions.A new hosepipe ban has come into forcePA ArchiveThe following uses of a hosepipe are prohibited under the ban:Cleaning a private vehicle or trailerWatering plants on domestic or non-commercial premises Cleaning a private leisure boatFilling a domestic swimming or paddling poolDrawing water for domestic recreational useFilling a domestic pondFilling an ornamental fountainCleaning the walls or windows of domestic premisesCleaning paths or patiosCleaning other artificial outdoor surfacesHowever, the following exemptions apply:Using a hosepipe to water a garden, surfaces etc for health and safety reasonsWatering plants that are for commercial use, part of a National Plant Collection or part of a temporary garden displayCleaning a private leisure boat, except for doors and windows, enclosed by a roof and wallsFilling or maintaining a pool during its constructionFilling or maintaining a pool designed, constructed or adapted for use in the course of medical treatment, decontaminating animals, veterinary treatment or keeping fish in captivity, including in domestic ponds or ornamental fountainsThose with severe mobility problems are exempt from most restrictionsBusinesses are exempt from restrictions regarding vehicles, boats, walls and windows, paths and patios and artificial surfacesWatering a garden with an approved drip or trickle irrigation watering systemCleaning a private leisure boat if it is a primary residence, has engines designed to be cleaned with a hosepipe or where fouling is causing increased fuel consumptionWatering turf, lawns, trees, plants etc planted 28 days ago or lessWatering trees, saplings or hedges planted within the last three yearsThose on the Priority Services Register are exempt from most restrictionsCleaning a private leisure boat to prevent the spread of invasive speciesFilling or maintaining an ornamental fountain with religious significanceFilling a caravan water tank for washing, cooking or sanitationFilling a swimming, pool hot tub etc in a fixed structure after construction or significant refurbishmentWatering crops at domestic premises or private allotments when this cannot reasonably done by a watering canA Thames Water spokesperson said: "We hope our customers will continue to use water wisely, as they have done already this summer, and we’re really grateful for everyone’s help. "While we’re not asking customers to contact us about how their neighbours are using water, including hose use, we may get in touch with customers who repeatedly don’t follow the rules. This is just to make sure they’re aware of the restrictions and how to use water responsibly. We are not asking anyone to call 999 or 101 if they see someone using a hosepipe. "We would never knock on a customer’s door and ask them to pay a fine."