South West Water keeps hosepipe ban in Cornwall and parts of North Devon

South West Water said on 4 November 2022 that its hosepipe ban is still in force in Cornwall and parts of North Devon, because water levels in those areas remain very low¹. The company published the position in its water resources update, attributed to Dr Lisa Gahan, its director responsible for water resources¹.

The company reported that rainfall across the South West in recent days, together with its own steps to increase supplies, had helped river and reservoir levels stabilise and slowly start to recover¹. It said reservoir levels nonetheless remain extremely low across the South West and especially low in Cornwall¹. It described the period as one of the driest and hottest in the region for over 130 years, and said that because the ground is so dry, moisture will take much longer to reach groundwater sources as the dry soil absorbs water¹.

The company said it had given more than 45,000 free water-saving devices to customers so far this year, ranging from water butts to flow-reducing shower heads¹. It said customers can check whether temporary restrictions apply in their area on its website¹.

Why it matters for households

Households in Cornwall and parts of North Devon remain subject to the hosepipe ban, and the company has not given a date for lifting it¹. The company is asking everyone to reduce the amount of water they use to help recharge the region's rivers and reservoirs, and says the more water saved now, the lower the risk of further restrictions in Spring/Summer 2023¹. The update does not set out the specific rules of the ban or the penalties for breaching it; those have not been reported here. Households can check whether restrictions apply to them through the company's website¹. Practical guidance on restrictions and on reducing use at home is set out in the site's Water Shortage and Hosepipe Ban Checklist, its guidance on watering the garden, allotment and new lawn in a hosepipe ban and its advice on saving water at home when supplies are low. The wider context sits in the heatwaves and drought and water sections.

What happens next

The company has not announced a date for reviewing or lifting the ban; it says only that saving water now will reduce the risk of further restrictions in Spring/Summer 2023¹. Customers are directed to the company's website to check for temporary restrictions in their area¹.