Hosepipe ban loopholes mean people can still fill up a pond or run a fountain – as millions hit by new rules

HOUSEHOLDS should be aware of a hosepipe ban loophole which means that you can still fill up a pond or a fountain. Over 10million Brits were brought under fresh restrictions last week after Thames Water introduced the measures for its customers. Anyone found to be using one during the ban could face a fine of up to £1,000 Credit: Getty When these rules come into force it means that customers cannot use a hosepipe for things like watering plants, cleaning their car or filling up a paddling pool. Anyone found to be using one during the ban could face a fine of up to £1,000. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! But there are loopholes which can see customers use a hosepipe to fill up a pond or use their fountain. Ponds that are home to fish or other aquatic animals can continue to be topped up, according to guidance published by Thames Water. That is also the case for fountains which contain fish. Thames Water also said customers can fill up a fixed swimming pool, hot tub, swim spa or paddling pool one time after it has been constructed or following a major refurbishment. Guidance on the website said customers can fill or maintain: pools being built or refurbished pools used for medical or veterinary treatment pools used to treat animals for disease or infection pools containing fish or other aquatic animals domestic ponds containing fish or other aquatic animals Most read in Money You can also: fill a pool using a hand-held container filled from a tap fill a fixed swimming pool, hot tub, swim spa or paddling pool after construction or major refurbishment (one initial fill only) run a fountain that provides oxygen to a fish pond run a fountain or water feature used for religious purposes Guidance or rules may vary from supplier to supplier, so it is important you figure out what is allowed in your area or otherwise you risk being fined. Anglican Water, which is also imposing a ban for some customers, said customers can continue to fill up ponds which have fish in them. Your water provider will typically have a full list of guidance published on its website. As it stands, you can also use a hosepipe to water trees, saplings, whips, and hedging planted within the last three years. If you are found to be using a hosepipe you will face a fine, but a number of exemptions exist. Blue Badge holders, and those on the Priority Services Register, are exempt from the rules as well as those who require the use of a hose for a medical purpose. A hose can also be used to water newly-laid turf four weeks after it was installed, to clean pets, and to fill up fish ponds. The restrictions come as temperatures reached as high as 36C last month, as the nation basked in one of the hottest Junes on record. The weather cooled over the weekend but it is set to heat up again this week, reaching highs of 33C in some areas. Comment now