Hose pipe ban introduced in Yorkshire and another expected to be announced soon for the North West
Yorkshire Water has announced a hosepipe ban following the region's driest and warmest spring on record.
It is the first UK hosepipe ban to be brought in this summer, and will come into force on Friday 11 July, just as a third heatwave is forecast this week.
Yorkshire Water said the area it covers has experienced both the driest and warmest spring on record this year, having had only 15cm of rainfall between February and June, less than half what is expected in an average year.
There are a number of activities which are banned as a result. These include:
Watering a garden using a hosepipe, which includes a park, a lawn, a grass verge, an area used for sport, an allotment or any other green space
Cleaning your car with a hosepipe
Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises
Washing a private boat using a hosepipe
Filling a domestic swimming pool or paddling pool
Drawing water using a hosepipe for domestic recreational use
Filling or maintaining a domestic pond
Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain with a hosepipe
Who is exempt from the hosepipe ban?
Blue badge holders, people listed on Yorkshire Water's priority services register or customers using the WaterSure tariff for medical reasons are exempt from the restrictions.