Yorkshire Water keeps hosepipe restrictions in place despite forecast rain

Yorkshire Water confirmed on 28 August 2025 that its hosepipe restrictions will remain in place despite rain forecast across the county, saying reservoir stocks have not recovered enough to lift them.

The company reported that heavy downpours fell in parts of Yorkshire on 27 August and that more rainfall is forecast in the coming days, but stated the rain "will not be enough to remove the hosepipe restrictions"¹. It said reservoir stocks stand at 35.8%, well below the 73.4% average for this time of year, and have been decreasing since late January because of dry and warm weather¹. Groundwater stocks in East Yorkshire are also affected by the prolonged dry spell¹.

Yorkshire Water said the region experienced its driest spring in 132 years, and that August is expected to receive well below long-term average rainfall, which would be the seventh consecutive month of below average rainfall¹.

Kaye also said the expected rain is "likely to be taken up by plants and the parched ground and countryside, with very little making its way into our reservoirs", and that customer efforts to reduce water usage, work to reduce leakage and the drought orders and permits in place or applied for are helping to protect supplies¹.

Why it matters for households

Households in the Yorkshire Water area remain subject to the company's hosepipe restrictions, and the company has said these will not be lifted by the forecast rain. Its statement gives no date for removal and says the restrictions could extend into the winter. The company's stated reason is the gap between current reservoir stocks and the seasonal average, together with the effect of the dry weather on groundwater in East Yorkshire. The practical scope of a temporary use ban, and what it covers in a garden or allotment, is set out in the site's guides to how temporary use bans work and to watering the garden, allotment and new lawn in a hosepipe ban. For households planning around low supplies, there is a water shortage and hosepipe ban checklist and guidance on saving water at home when supplies are low. The company's own drought plans and the public say in them are covered in water company drought plans, and the wider heatwaves and drought section collects the related guidance.

What happens next

Yorkshire Water has said restrictions will stay until reservoir stocks recover, and that this could extend into the winter. No date for a review or for lifting the restrictions has been reported. The company has said it is planning to ensure adequate supplies heading into the spring and summer of 2026¹.