Thames Water’s hosepipe ban is due to start today (Tuesday 22nd July 2025) for 1.1 million people in the South East and South West of England. The ban follows an expiry of the amber and yellow heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency across the country.
But as one of the hottest and driest summers continues, it’s important to think of more ways you can save on your water bills while your hosepipes are out of action. Read on for our top water saving tips.
Who is the Ban Going to Affect?
- Swindon
- Gloucestershire
- Oxfordshire
- Kent
- Sussex
The hosepipe ban may extend to other regions if the current dry spell continues.
Why Has the Ban Been Announced?
For many across these areas, non-essential hosepipe use will be restricted. This includes watering gardens, washing cars and filling paddling pools.
But why has the hosepipe ban been announced? The answer comes in the form of climate change. The Met Office has confirmed that reservoir levels have dropped due to a prolonged spell of dry weather – as the UK continues to break temperature and rainfall records more and more.
Read the BBC’s summary of the Met Office’s recent extreme weather report here.
Do You Still Pay a Water Bill During a Hosepipe Ban?
Yes, you still need to pay your water bill during a hosepipe ban as it’s a priority debt and water companies are still providing you with water for essential use during this time.
If you don’t pay your water bill, your provider can take legal action against you to recover the debt. This could involve a County Court Judgement (CCJ), getting money deducted from your benefits, etc. Creditor action taken against you will affect your credit score.
If you have fallen behind with your priority bills, you should contact us straight away.
How To Save On Your Water Bill During a Hosepipe Ban
The smallest and simplest of lifestyle changes can make a huge difference when it comes to paying your water bill:
- Take shorter showers – If each member of a family of four spent one minute less in the shower, they could save approximately 48 litres of water per day.
- Install water-saving shower heads or tap aerators – These typically reduce the flow rate of the shower head/tap from 12-15 litres per minute to around 6-8 litres per minute.
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth – This simple change saves around six litres of water per minute.
- Fix leaky taps, toilets, showers, hose connections, etc. promptly – A leaking toilet could waste up to 400 litres of water per day, adding to your bill if you’re on a meter.
- Load your dishwasher fully each time you use it – One full load is much more efficient than multiple half-loads.
- Switch to a water meter if it’s more cost-effective – If your household has more bedrooms than people, a water meter could reduce your bill. Most water providers have online calculators so you can see if switching would be more cost-effective.
- Use a water displacement device in the toilet cistern – Some water companies offer free devices to reduce the amount of water used per flush. Click here to find a water company near you.
- Collect rainwater with a water butt (if allowed during a hosepipe ban) – Use rainwater to do your gardening. Click here to view United Utilities’ discounted water butts.
Visit the WWF website for more water saving tips here.
Struggling To Pay Priority Debts?
If priority debts are becoming a struggle, please contact Angel Advance to receive free*, confidential debt advice today.
Our team of expert debt advisers can talk you through our available debt solutions to help you feel at ease. But you don’t have to talk to us on the phone if you don’t want to – our online debt advice tool is accessible any time, day or night. Free and easy-to-use, our handy tool tells you which solutions are available to you on-screen, instantly, all without the need for a phone call.
If you’re looking for ways to deal with debt, we offer free confidential debt advice and a wide range of debt solutions that you can apply for online, including Debt Management Plans (DMPs), Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs), Debt Relief Orders (DROs), Bankruptcy and Partial Settlements, as well as Debt Solutions for Scottish Residents.
If all you need is debt advice, this won’t affect your credit score.
*Our advice is free, but if you sign up for a debt solution, a fee will apply for some solutions.
