Temporary Use Ban – Matrix Water

Temporary use ban – what does it mean?

A temporary use ban (TUB), also known as a hosepipe ban, will be in place from Thursday 23rd July until further notice. This restriction applies to our customers in the developments below:

Unit 1, Block A, 121 Abbey Road London, NW6 4FA
Flat 1-46 (consec), Block A, 121 Abbey Road, London, NW6 4FA
Unit 1 & Unit 2, Block B, 208 Belsize Road, London, NW6 4FF
Flat 1-60 (consec), Block B, 208 Belsize Road, London, NW6 4FF
Flat 1-33 (consec), Block C, 210 Belsize Road, London, NW6 4FG

TUBs prohibit the use of hosepipes, sprinklers, dripper hoses, automatic irrigation systems and similar devices for the following:

Watering a garden using a hosepipe
Cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe
Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe
Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe
Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool
Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use
Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe
Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain
Cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe
Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe
Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe

However, these activities can still be carried out if you’re using water from a watering can or bucket, or using an alternative water source (e.g., boreholes, rainwater from a butt, grey water).

Exemptions and Priority Services

What if I’m elderly, disabled or have a Blue Badge and can’t carry a watering can

People with severe mobility problems (whether they hold a current Blue Badge as issued by their local authority or not) will not be prohibited from using a hosepipe to: (a) water a garden attached to a domestic dwelling, (b) clean a private motor vehicle, (c) water plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises, (d) water allotments where the Blue Badge holder is the tenant, (e) fill or maintain a domestic pond, (f) clean walls or windows of domestic premises, (g) clean paths or patios; or (h) clean other artificial surfaces.

Do the restrictions apply if I’m on the Priority Services Register?

Customers on the Priority Services Register subject to any of the circumstances listed below can use a hosepipe to: (a) water a garden, (b) clean a private motor vehicle, (c) water plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises, (d) fill or maintain a domestic pond, (e) clean walls or windows of domestic premises, (f) clean paths or patios or (g) clean other artificial outdoor surfaces.

This exemption applies to customers:

on dialysis, a feeding pump or automated medication;
who suffer from a chronic or serious illness;
who require oxygen use;
who require a nebuliser and apnoea monitor;
with a condition affecting the heart, lung and/or rely on a ventilator
who use an oxygen concentrator;
who need to use a stair lift, hoist, or electric bed;
who are unable to answer the door;
with a physical impairment;
with dementia or a cognitive impairment;
who are blind;
with restricted hand movement;
who are recovering from hospital treatment;

Why are Blue Badge holders and Priority Services customers exempt?

Some people may struggle to manage without a hosepipe. and we don’t want anyone to risk their health or safety. That’s why Blue Badge holders, Priority Services customers and those on the WaterSure tariff for medical reasons are exempt from some of the restrictions.

Even so, we kindly ask exempt customers to use water carefully and only when really needed.

Does the exemption apply to everyone in the household?

The exemption only applies to the person who is registered (e.g. the Blue Badge holder or Priority Services customer). Others in the household must still follow the hosepipe restrictions.

I use a lot of water for medical reasons – am I exempt?

Yes. If you’re on the WaterSure tariff for medical reasons, the restrictions do not apply to you. We’re writing to all WaterSure customers to let them know.

We know some people rely on extra water for their health and wellbeing, and we want to make sure those needs are supported.

To find out more about exemptions please see our full list of prohibitions and exemptions.

Representations concerning these prohibitions may be made in writing to: Matrix Water Ltd at Eleanor House, Newport Pagnell Road West, Northampton, NN4 7JJ or sent to [email protected].

Water saving tips

Our top household water saving tips:

Don’t use a hosepipe until the restriction has been lifted (we’ll let you know when that is)
Re-use your bathwater or washing up water to water your gardens
Water your garden with a watering can in the early morning or late evening, when less water is lost through evaporation
If you’ve got a modern toilet with dual flush, use the short flush wherever possible
Use a washing up bowl instead of letting the tap run
Using your dishwasher often uses less water than washing dishes by hand if you do a full load each time.
Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
Boil only what you need when you make a brew. The extra water can get wasted as steam
Only wash full loads in your washing machine
Use a bucket and sponge to wash your car, rather than a hosepipe; or try some of the new waterless car washing products
Spend a minute less in the shower every day.
Report leaks! You can do this by calling 0330 043 2320

How can boaters help?

The Canal and River Trust has some excellent tips for boaters to save water. They include:

Make the best use of the available water by sharing locks where possible;
When you’ve passed through a lock, ensure paddles are fully closed;
Ensure the lock gates are fully open before passing through. Pushing gates open with your boat can damage the lining and increase leakage.

Marina owners, especially those with hire fleets, can help by encouraging boaters to:

Not use the water point to wash boats with a hose or jet washer
Only use the water point to fill water tanks for drinking, cooking, and washing.

What’s a TUB? How is it applied?

What is a TUB?

A hosepipe ban or Temporary Usage Ban (TUB) is a measure used by by water companies to manage their water supplies when demand is high and supply is low. This is often during long, hot dry periods. Find out more here.

Why are you introducing hosepipe restrictions?

Usually, Spring is the time of year reservoirs and groundwater sources are topped up. However, following three official heatwaves, persistent dry weather and an increase in water demand, we’re putting the ban in place to protect the environment and help ensure there’s enough water for essential daily needs. By reducing unnecessary water use now, we can help protect supplies for everyone while the dry conditions continue.

What areas does it cover and when do they start?

If your home receives water from Matrix Water within the Yorkshire area, you’ll be affected by the restrictions which start on Thursday, 23rd July.

If you’re a non-household customer or business, you may use a hosepipe if use is directly related for your commercial purposes, but they do apply if it’s not for essential needs. More information can be found on our website.

Who or what gives you the power to do this?

Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991, as amended by the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. For more information, visit legislation.gov.uk.

How long will the restrictions last / when will the ban be lifted?

Sadly, we can’t give an exact date. The restrictions will need to stay in place until we get enough rain for reservoir levels to be closer to normal. We don’t know when that will be, but we’ll only keep the restrictions for as long as we really have to. We’ll keep a close eye on the situation and share updates.

How much water will the ban save?

Hosepipes use a lot of water, so by stopping their use, we’re hoping to save a significant amount. When we’ve had hosepipe bans before, we saw a real drop in water use. It’s an important part of our drought plan, which sets out the steps we need to take. Bringing in the ban now also allows us to apply for drought permits.

What happens if I break the rules?

Using a hosepipe during the ban without permission is a criminal offence under the Water Industry Act 1991 and you (the person using the hose) could be fined.

Water resources

How serious is the situation?

We’ve had a very dry spring, and the lack of rain has affected our water supplies. With little rainfall to refill our reservoirs, water levels are lower than we’d expect at this time of year.

Are we going to run out of water?

No. The steps we’re taking now are designed to protect supplies. By using less water, we can help keep the reservoirs topped up and make sure there’s enough water for everyone.

What impact has the weather had on water supplies?

The warm, dry weather means people are using more water, especially during busy times of day. Because it’s not raining much, the reservoirs aren’t filling back up. Cutting back now will help stretch our supplies until the rain returns.

What about new houses – is the extra demand for water planned for? Where do they get their water from?

Yes – we plan for population growth in our long-term Water Resources Management Plan. We use forecasts from local councils and the Office for National Statistics to help us plan how much water people will need in the future, and to decide if we need to find more water or encourage people to use less.

How can I help?

We can all help save water. Simple things like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, shorter showers, and fixing leaky toilets really do make a difference. Check our website and social media for more water-saving tips.

A quick guide on what you can/can’t do

You must not use a hosepipe to:

Water your garden
Clean your car, boat or bike
Water your plants (unless for food)
Fill/top up swimming or paddling pools, hot tubs, or plunge pools
Fill ponds or ornamental fountains
Clean windows, walls, patios or paths
Clean any other artificial outdoor surfaces
Use for recreational purposes (i.e. playing with sprinklers)

You can still:

Use a bucket or watering can
Use greywater or rainwater through a hosepipe
Use water from a private supply (like a borehole)

A hosepipe can use up to 1,000 litres of water an hour, compares to around 10 litres to fill a bucket.

Can I wash my vehicle?

Although we’d prefer a low water usage during restrictions, such as a bucket and sponge, the following vehicles can be washed with a hosepipe:

Public bus
Any vehicles covered by an organisation’s “Goods Vehicle Operator’s License”
Military vehicles
Tractors and agricultural vehicles
Mobile shops and exhibition vehicles
Snow ploughs and gritters
Mobile medical screening vehicles
Recovery vehicles (if used exclusively for that purpose)
Hearses and accompanying funeral cars
Emergency service vehicles (including those used by gas, electricity, water and telephone companies)
Catering vehicles
Any vehicle over 3.5 tonnes gross plated weight or (where there is no plated weight), an unladen weight of more than 1,525kg to transport goods for hire or reward or in connection with a trade or business.

The following vehicles can’t be washed with a hosepipe during restrictions:

Can I water my garden and/or plants?

You can’t use a hosepipe to water lawns, flowers or plants unless:

You’re watering food crops
You’re using a watering can or non-mains water (like rainwater)
You’ve just laid new turf or sown grass seed (you can use a hosepipe for 28 days after planting)

Watering is best done in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.

What about work around the house or garden?

You can use a hosepipe for:

Mixing cement or other activities directly related to building work
Watering newly planted turf (for 28 days)

You can’t use a hosepipe to:

Clean paths or driveways (unless for safety)
Fill containers from the tap to use later
Wash walls before painting (unless you’re a business)

If you’re a contractor working on a commercial property, you can use a hosepipe. If you’re a homeowner, you must use a bucket or container instead.

Can I use my sprinkler or irrigation system?

Sprinklers are not allowed as they use a lot of water. We recommend using a watering can instead.

You can use a fixed drip or trickle irrigation system if:

It’s connected to a meter
It has a timer and pressure-reducing valve
It waters directly at the soil or underground (not spray or mist)

However, you may use other systems if they’re connected to rainwater or greywater (i.e. not attached to the mains system).

Can I use or fill my pool, plunge pool, or hot tub?

You can’t use a hosepipe to fill or top up hot tubs, plunge pools or paddling/swimming pools.

You can use a bucket or watering can, but please only do so when necessary.

Exceptions (you can use a hosepipe if):

You’re filling a newly installed hot tub or exercise tub for the first time after construction
You’re filling a newly constructed pool during construction
The pool is for a medical or veterinary need
You’re on our Priority Services Register
The water is essential for fish or aquatic animals
You’re a business that offers hot tubs for paying guests (and pay business rates)

Can I fill water tanks in caravans or motorhomes?

You can use a hosepipe to fill onboard tanks if the water is for drinking, cooking or sanitation only.

Can I use my garden water fountain?

Most water fountains uses a small amount of water it recycles. If this is the case, you may continue to use it. If it needs to be replenished, it can’t be used while restrictions are in place, unless its purpose is to supply oxygen to fish in a nearby pond.

Can I clean leisure equipment, boats, or wetsuits?

Boats: You can’t clean private boats with a hosepipe unless it’s:

Enclosed (like the cabin)
Needed to reduce fuel use or stop invasive species
Your main home
Part of a business service

Wetsuits: You can’t use a hosepipe, but a bucket of water is fine.

Trees and allotments

Allotments and veg gardens: You can use a hosepipe for food crops only.

New trees: You can water standard trees planted in the last three seasons if they can’t reasonably be watered by hand.

Grass roofs: You can use a hosepipe if not watering it causes safety issues.

Holiday lets and businesses

If you pay council tax, you’re a domestic customer and must follow the ban

If you pay business rates, you’re classed as a commercial customer and are not restricted

Commercial businesses (e.g. pool/hot tub services) can top up water as part of contracts

What happens if I break the rules?

Using a hosepipe during the ban without permission is a criminal offence under the Water Industry Act 1991. If you break the rules, you (the person using the hose) could be fined.

Can I use my hosepipe if it’s not connected to the mains supply?

Yes. The restrictions focus on the use of mains water. If you’re using your hosepipe with bottled water, or water from a water butt filled with rainwater, it can still be used.

What about topping up a with a water conservation recycling system using a hose?

A pool with a permanent filter system which allows a continuous circulation of water with no regular discharge of water to maintain water quality.

You can backwash the filters no more than once a week for a few minutes at a time, but you can’t use a hose to top up the pool itself.

Can the hot tub water be used in the garden?

There should be little harm to the plants in the garden, but it may be more useful for cleaning items such as greenhouses, or vehicles. Never put hot tub water into a watercourse (e.g. a river or steam).

Can I take water from a lake or river and use my hosepipe from this source rather than the tap?

We can’t give permission for this. You’d have to contact the Environment Agency.

Customer Service team: 0333 009 5213
Emergency team: 0330 043 2320