Britons using 12 legal loopholes to dodge hosepipe bans as millions told to cut back usage immediately

1 sources2 storiesFirst seen 7/23/2026Score10Mixed Progress

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Parched Britons have called on water companies to fix their leaks amid nationwide fury over "unjustified" hosepipe bans in England.A damning survey from Ipsos revealed almost half of adults doubt water companies have properly invested in repairing leaks and upgrading infrastructure to warrant imposing hosepipe bans.The latest ban is from Thames Water, which took effect yesterday, restricting 10 million customers from using hoses and sprinklers at home.Following a series of sweltering heatwaves over the past month, some 23 million people are now forced to abide by water restrictions.

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TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say In areas where bans are already in force, scepticism runs deeper.

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Some 58 per cent of those affected said their supplier had failed to act properly before asking households to turn off their taps.And another quarter of respondents told Ipsos they could not accept restrictions when they were unconvinced their provider had taken sufficient steps first.Close to half of those...

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Britons using 12 legal loopholes to dodge hosepipe bans as millions told to cut back usage immediately.

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Britons across the UK have been using 12 legal loopholes to get around the hosepipe bans placed on around a third of the population.Hosepipe bans have been rolled out by water companies throughout England and Wales following one of the hottest summers in recorded history, with roughly 23 million residents now subject to restrictions.

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Anyone caught flouting the rules faces fines of up to £1,000.A drier-than-usual spring combined with soaring temperatures has driven a surge in demand, with Thames Water reporting that some households consumed 50 per cent more water than normal.

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Evaporation from rivers and lakes has further depleted supplies, leaving reservoir levels below the seasonal average.

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