Hosepipe ban to come into force for 33,000 properties in Wales

A hosepipe ban affecting 33,000 properties in west Wales will be introduced this weekend.

It follows a prolonged period of "exceptionally high demand" for drinking water across mid and south Ceredigion and parts of north Pembrokeshire and north Carmarthenshire.

Welsh Water said temporary restrictions will come into force from 10:00 BST on Sunday, July 19 to "help protect essential water supplies".

Water companies have the authority to impose fines of up to £1,000 on those who violate a hosepipe ban under the Water Industry Act.

The affected areas include Llanon, Llangwyryfon and Cwm Ystwyth in Ceredigion, across to Crymych, Llanfyrnach and Nevern in north Pembrokeshire, and into parts of north Carmarthenshire, including Farmers, Pencader and Hermon.

Wales Water said they had seen several weeks of sustained demand at "unprecedented levels", with about one billion litres of drinking water put into supply every day during the past week - about 20% more than what would be expected at this time of year.

Growing numbers of holiday-makers and visitors to the area as the summer holiday season begins are expected to add further pressure.

Welsh Water have advised customers to check whether their property is affected by using the postcode checker on their website.

Kit Wilson, chief customer officer, said implementing the temporary use ban had "not been an easy decision".

"We fully appreciate that these temporary restrictions will disappoint some customers, particularly during a period of warm weather. However, after several weeks of unprecedented demand, they have become necessary to help protect essential water supplies," Wilson said.

"By reducing non-essential water use, everyone can help protect supplies and reduce the risk of further disruption," he added.

Welsh Water said restrictions will remain in place only for "as long as they are necessary", and will be removed as soon as demand returns to "sustainable levels".

Gavin Young, who owns Pen-y-Waun Farm near Llanedi, Carmarthenshire, said the dry weather was becoming a growing concern.

"It's not just the fact that they haven't got the water. They haven't got the grass," he said of his livestock.

"The grass gets stressed, the grass won't grow, so you're going to lose profitability through meat gain and also milk production.

"UK livestock will start to get stressed at 22 degrees. So from now on in, you're looking at stress levels being quite high."

While there is still currently enough grass for his animals to feed off, Young said there was a danger that without more growth in the coming weeks, his livestock would look to other, more dangerous food sources.

"In 10 to 14 days, we're going to be looking at supplementary feeding again to keep them going," he said.

"If there's not enough there for them to eat then they'll look for stuff that they shouldn't be eating.

"We've got no ragwort here but the likes of that, poisonous plants, they will then graze those, which are toxic".

A hosepipe ban, also known as a temporary use ban, is a restriction on using hosepipes.

They are imposed by water companies to try and save water during periods of high demand or low supply.

Under the temporary use ban, customers must not use a hosepipe to:

• water a garden
• clean a private motor-vehicle
• water plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises
• clean a private leisure boat
• fill or maintain a domestic swimming or paddling pool
• draw water for domestic recreational use
• fill or maintain a domestic pond
• fill or maintain an ornamental fountain
• clean walls, or windows, of domestic premises
• clean paths or patios
• clean other artificial outdoor surfaces

In the UK, hosepipe bans are enforced by water companies.

They have the authority to impose fines of up to £1,000 on those who violate the ban under the Water Industry Act.

Welsh Water said: "Our approach is to help customers understand why these temporary restrictions are needed and encourage everyone to play their part.

"Our focus is on clear communication and public support. We worked with customers during the temporary use ban in 2022 and didn't prosecute anyone – we'd encourage a similar response from customers this year."