Yorkshire Water Hosepipe Ban Confirmed Amid Shortage — What to Do If You Catch a Neighbour Breaking the Rules

Yorkshire Water is the first major UK utility company to announce a hosepipe ban this year, after Yorkshire experienced its driest spring in 132 years.

With all four of Yorkshire's counties in drought, the company announced a ban on residents they supply water too from using their hosepipes. Those caught breaking restrictions will be at risk of getting fined.

'While we're out 24/7 fixing leaks and looking after your water, we're asking customers to put down their hosepipes, so we can let our reservoirs recover,' Yorkshire Water announced to its customers.

Normally, Yorkshire Water's reservoirs are topped up over the spring. However, this season's hot dry weather has meant their reservoirs haven't increased since the last week of January.

The hosepipe ban comes into effect on Friday 11 July and will affect over five million people.

With police asking Yorkshire residents not to call 999 on those seen breaking restrictions, here's what to do if you catch your neighbours using their hosepipes.

Who To Contact If Someone Isn't Following The Ban

On Tuesday, West Yorkshire Police put out a message on their Facebook page telling residents not to report those breaking restrictions by calling 999 as this 'may prevent us from helping someone in a real emergency.'

Yorkshire Water have specified that everyone who receives water from them should stop using their hospipes for things like watering gardens and plants, cleaning vehicles and boats, filling any type of pool or pond, and cleaning their properties.

Those that think they are exempt from the hosepipe ban should contact Yorkshire Water.

Anyone that sees someone breaking restrictions should also contact Yorkshire Water via their website or call them on 0345 1 24 24 24.

What Happens If Someone Doesn't Abide By The Rules?

Residents who refuse to adhere to the water restrictions could face a £1,000 personal fine, Yorkshire Water informed residents.

The company is hopeful that residents will respect the restrictions and not cause any need for fines to be handed out.

'If we are told repeatedly about someone breaking the restrictions, the first thing we do is remind them of their obligations,' Yorkshire Water said on their website.

'However, if they continue to use a hosepipe, we may escalate our enforcement accordingly,' they added.

Exemptions From The Ban

Businesses will be able to use hosepipes if it's directly related to commercial purposes. Non-essential uses such as cleaning outside their property still fall under the restrictions.

Blue badge holders, Priority Service customers, and those on the WaterSure tariff for medical reasons are exempt from the hosepipe ban but are encouraged to be mindful of the amount of water they use.

'We don't want anyone to put themselves at risk unnecessarily and recognise that some of these customers will struggle with the restrictions which will be in place,' Yorkshire Water explained.

They also clarified that the exemption only applies to the individuals holding a blue badge or registered as a Priority Services customer. Restrictions still apply to the rest of their household.

Yorkshire Officially In Drought

On 12 June, the Environment Agency announced Yorkshire had moved into drought status following England's driest spring since 1893.

The announcement made Yorkshire the second region in England to enter drought status this year, with the north-west of England's drought announced on 21 May.

Yorkshire's drought has seen a decline in river flow and groundwater levels.

'Our climate is changing, and we had 22 days of almost no recorded rainfall in May,' Claire Barrow, Yorkshire Environment, Planning and Engagement Manager said. 'While we have had some rain at the start of June, it has not been enough to reverse the impacts of the prolonged dry weather,' she added.

Yorkshire Water has not specified how long the ban will be in effect for, but said it would at least need to be until Yorkshire experiences some significant rainfall. They assured customers the restrictions would not be in place any longer than absolutely necessary.