Cambridge Water gives notice that, pursuant to sections 76 and 76A–C of the Water Industry Act 1991, the following uses of potable water supplied by Cambridge Water are restricted. Those subject to the temporary use ban will be those in receipt of a supply of water from Cambridge Water and those who are served by other retailers or NAVs in the Cambridge Water area of supply.

This notice, and further details concerning the prohibitions, current drought and water efficiency advice may be found on the website of Cambridge Water here: www.cambridge-water.co.uk.

Water use restrictions will start on 17th July at 01:00 hours and continue until further notification. The restriction applies to the water resource zones defined in Cambridge Water’s statutory drought plan and as indicated on the map.

Prohibited Uses

The use of a hosepipe, including using sprinklers, dripper hoses, automatic irrigation systems and similar devices, is prohibited for the following:

1. Watering a garden using a hosepipe;

2. Cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe;

3. Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe;

4. Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe;

5. Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool;

6. Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use;

7. Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe;

8. Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain;

9. Cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe;

10. Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe;

11. Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe.

Note that customers can still undertake the above activities if they use mains water from a bucket or watering can; or use water that is not sourced from the mains such as grey water, rainwater from a water butt through a hosepipe, or private boreholes for example.

The following definitions apply:

• “Using a hosepipe” includes the drawing of water supplied by Cambridge Water from a container through a hosepipe; and filling a container by means of a hosepipe with water supplied by Cambridge Water.

• “Garden” includes a park, gardens open to the public, a domestic garden, a lawn, a grass verge, an allotment used for non-commercial purposes and any other green space;

• “Hosepipe” includes anything designed, adapted or used to serve the same purpose as a hosepipe.

• The prohibitions apply whether or not any device is attached to the hosepipe, such as a sprinkler for example; and

• “Using a hosepipe for domestic recreational use” includes operating water slides and other recreational equipment.

These prohibited water uses are covered by the Water Industry Act 1991 section 76 as amended by the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. Further definitions may be found in the Water Use (Temporary Bans) Order 2010, which is available at: legislation.gov.uk/uksi

Statutory Exceptions

Customers who meet the requirements below can continue to use water without having to make representation to Cambridge Water to receive permission. In using water, it is requested that customers use water wisely and adopt water efficient practices:

• Using a hosepipe for health or safety reasons, where this includes (a) removing or minimising any risk to human or animal health or safety; and (b) preventing or controlling the spread of causative agents of disease;

• Watering plants that are (1) grown or kept for sale or commercial use, or (2) that are part of a National Plant Collection or temporary garden or flower display;

• Cleaning any area of a private leisure boat which, except for doors or windows, is enclosed by a roof and walls;

• Filling or maintaining a pool where necessary in the course of its construction;

• Filling or maintaining a pool that is designed, constructed or adapted for use in the course of a programme of medical treatment;

• Filling or maintaining a pool that is used for the purpose of decontaminating animals from infections or disease;

• Filling or maintaining a pool used in the course of a programme of veterinary treatment;

• Filling or maintaining a pool in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity;

• Filling or maintaining a domestic pond in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity;

• Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain which is in or near a fish-pond and whose purpose is to supply sufficient oxygen to the water in the pond in order to keep the fish healthy.

Watering areas of grass, which are used for sport or recreation, is covered by a Statutory Exception for health and safety only in relation to the active strip/playing area, not the entire ground.

Discretionary Exceptions

Customers who meet the criteria below for a Discretionary Exception can continue to use water without having to make representation to Cambridge Water to receive permission to use water for the following restricted uses.

It is requested that customers that meet the requirements for a Discretionary Universal Exception use water wisely and adopt water efficient practices.

The criteria for Discretionary Exceptions include:

• Commercial customers that use hosepipes in the course of their day-to-day cleaning business operation as a service to customers to clean private motor vehicles, private leisure boats, walls and windows of domestic premises, patios, paths or artificial outdoor surfaces.

• Customers that hold who hold a Blue Badge or are registered on Priority Services Register of Cambridge Water and who have mobility issues but are not in possession of a blue badge may use a hosepipe to carry out the following activities;

o Watering a garden attached to a domestic dwelling, or watering plants on domestic premises;

o Cleaning a private motor-vehicle;

o Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises

o Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe

o Cleaning walls or windows of domestic premise;

o Cleaning paths or patios or other artificial outdoor surfaces,

• Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe in any of the following circumstances:

o Where the boat is a primary residence,

o where fouling is causing increased fuel consumption,

o the engines are designed to be cleaned with a hosepipe

The following definition applies:

“Blue Badge” means a current valid Blue Badge issued by the relevant Local Authority.

Representations

Representations concerning any of these prohibitions may be made in writing at [email address]. To be considered representations must be received by 16th July 2026 at 1700 hours. If, as a result of any representation, Cambridge Water decides to vary any terms of the prohibition, a further notice will be published. Subject to this, the prohibitions will have effect from the stated date and will remain in force until further notice. Any person who contravenes any of these prohibitions may be guilty of an offence, and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000.