The Hosepipe Ban and Turf
This page is updated every time a new hosepipe ban comes into effect - last updated on 18/07/25.
With parts of the UK already facing hosepipe bans and more dry weather expected, many gardeners are wondering how to care for their lawns responsibly.
Whether you have an established lawn or are planning to lay new turf, there are multiple things you can do to keep your grass in the best condition.
Current Situation – Hosepipe Bans in the UK:
Yorkshire Water announced a hosepipe ban from 11th July 2025.
South East Water's hosepipe restrictions begin on the 18th of July for customers in Kent and Sussex.
Southern Water's hosepipe rules come into force on July 21st across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Thames Water's hosepipe ban starts on the 22nd of July for the following postcodes:
- OX
- GL
- SN
- RG4 (not RG40, 41, 42 or 45)
- RG8 and RG9.
What Is a Hosepipe Ban?
In simple words, a hosepipe ban, officially called a Temporary Use Ban, is used by water companies when the water supply drops and the demand for water rises. This usually happens during the spring or summer when the UK experiences longer periods of dry, hot weather.
Once in place for your region, you are not allowed to use a hosepipe. This means that you cannot use it for purposes such as watering your garden, washing your car, windows, or filling up a pool or domestic pond.
If you are found to be breaking these rules, you could be fined up to £1,000. However, there are some exemptions to the water ban when it comes to turf.
To check if your area is currently under any restrictions, see the ‘Current Situation – Hosepipe Bans in the UK’ section.
Impact on Your Lawn
Established Lawns
The hosepipe ban has no exemptions for well-established lawns.
However, while the lack of water may result in your lawn losing its green, vibrant colour - it doesn’t need to be watered with a hose. A lawn that does not get enough water will often go into a dormant state and turn yellow or brown, recovering as soon as the rain returns.
Established lawns do not need watering with a hosepipe even in the hottest months, so by keeping this rule in mind we can all help reduce our water usage.
If you want to minimise the impact that drought has on your lawn and help it bounce back more quickly, there are certain things that you can do:
Keep your lawn healthy with regular care: This includes regular fertilising, scarifying, and aerating. Fertilising your lawn regularly provides it with nutrients that it needs to build a strong, deep root system that copes better in dry conditions. Scarifying removes excess thatch - a layer of dead grass and moss that can block water from reaching the soil, while aerating loosens any compacted ground, allowing water and nutrients to reach the grass roots.
Raise the cutting height on your mower: Longer grass blades give the plant more leaf area, helping it make food more easily through photosynthesis. They also shade the soil, keeping it cooler and reducing water evaporation.
Check out our 'How to Mow Your Lawn' guide to learn more about this.
Leave grass clippings behind: Grass clippings act as natural mulch - cooling the soil down and reducing water evaporation. They are also high in nitrogen and contain some potassium and phosphorus, making them a great natural fertiliser.
To learn more about caring for your established lawn during a heatwave, visit our ‘Dry Grass: How the Recent Sunny Weather Affects Your Lawn’ blog.
Freshly Laid Turf
Freshly laid turf needs to be watered until the roots are fully established. If left to dry out, it could shrink and die because of its limited root system. Hot summer weather results in more water evaporating from the soil too, so your new turf has to be watered more often to replace lost moisture.
Water companies are aware of this and there are notes in the hosepipe ban regulations advising exemptions in the case of newly laid lawns.
The UKWIR Code of Practice and Guidelines on Water Use Restrictions (report ref. No. 11/WR/33/3), includes an advisory note to allow hosepipe watering of newly laid lawns up to 28 days after laying.
On page 28, under ‘FLEXIBILITY’, it states: Exemptions and Concessions
This activity has the potential to have a commercial impact. This could extend to garden centres as well as gardening and landscape firms. Suggested exemptions/concessions include:
- The watering of newly laid turf for a specified period (recommended 28 days)
This means you don’t need to worry about your new turf drying out before it has a chance to settle in. However, since these are advisory notes only and do not have to be honoured by water companies, always make sure to check this with your water provider first.
To do so, simply go to a full list of contact details for water operators available across the UK and get in touch with them.
Alternative Watering Methods
If your provider does not have an exception in place or you simply want to save water, here are other ways to water your lawn:
Water With a Watering Can
It is entirely possible to water a freshly laid lawn using a watering can (..or two!) when a hosepipe ban is in place.
Not only are watering cans cheap and do not need a complicated set-up to use, they also offer good control over the amount of water dispensed. This reduces the chances of watering your lawn too much or too little by accident. Some gardeners also find watering their plants with a watering can very relaxing, adding to its benefits.
For best results, make sure to water your lawn in the morning or evening. During these times the temperatures are cooler, so water sinks into the soil rather than evaporate. You can also leave any watering cans you have outside during any rainfall. Once full, use the water collected to water your garden.
Install a Water Butt
Installing a water butt has many benefits.
It supports sustainable gardening practices, according to RSPB as the water from our taps comes from natural habitats like rivers and reservoirs. Using less tap water helps protect these environments and the animals that rely on them to survive.
Rainwater is also better for your plants. It is considered ‘softer’ because it contains fewer salts and chemicals than the outdoor tap water. This makes it a great source of hydration for your lawn, free from the potential downsides of treated tap water, leading to healthier, more vigorous growth and a more resilient lawn over time
A water butt is also useful during a hosepipe ban, giving you a water source you can use freely. You can even connect your hosepipe to it - just make sure to install a pump to create enough pressure. Or, if you prefer, you can simply use it to fill up your watering cans.
The hosepipe ban impacts established lawns differently from newly laid ones.
Once the ban is in place, established lawns cannot be watered using a hose connected to your outdoor water supply. Unless you plan to water it with a can or a hosepipe attached to a water butt, it's best to let the lawn go dormant.
Freshly laid turf, on the other hand, is often exempt from the ban for a limited time to allow it to establish but always check with your local water provider first.
