A hosepipe ban comes into force at 10am on Sunday 19 July 2026 for around 33,000 properties in west Wales, covering mid and south Ceredigion and parts of north Pembrokeshire and north Carmarthenshire. Welsh Water says demand has topped one billion litres a day for a week, around 20% above normal for the time of year. |
LAST REVIEWED: 19 JULY 2026
KEY FACTS
- The temporary use ban starts at 10am on Sunday 19 July and covers around 33,000 properties
- Affected areas are mid and south Ceredigion, parts of north Pembrokeshire and north Carmarthenshire
- More than 1,000 megalitres of water a day went into supply over the past week, nearly 20% above normal
- Welsh Water says the ban stays in place for as long as necessary; no end date has been set
- Wales is in its third heatwave of the summer, with no significant rain forecast until late July
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water introduces a hosepipe ban from 10am on Sunday 19 July for around 33,000 properties across west Wales, after weeks of exceptionally high demand for drinking water during the summer's third heatwave. The temporary use ban covers mid and south Ceredigion together with parts of north Pembrokeshire and north Carmarthenshire, and arrives on the first weekend of the school summer holidays in an area with a large seasonal visitor population.
The company says more than 1,000 megalitres of water have been put into supply every day for the past week, nearly 20% above normal for the time of year and enough to fill roughly four hundred Olympic sized swimming pools daily. Kit Wilson, Welsh Water's chief customer officer, said the ban had not been an easy decision and was needed to help protect essential water supplies. The restrictions will remain in place for as long as they are necessary, with no end date announced.
The move follows an escalating series of warnings. On 13 July the company asked customers to help keep taps flowing as demand topped a billion litres a day, on 15 July it called for help protecting supplies as demand reached what it described as unprecedented levels, and on 16 July it warned that a ban was likely by the weekend unless demand fell significantly. Demand did not fall, and the ban was confirmed for Sunday morning. With no meaningful rain in the forecast until late July and temperatures expected to climb again into the following week, the company has indicated that further measures cannot be ruled out if pressure on the network continues.
A temporary use ban restricts the use of a hosepipe connected to the mains supply for activities including watering gardens, washing cars, filling paddling pools, hot tubs and swimming pools, and cleaning paths, patios and windows. Watering cans, buckets and water from a water butt remain permitted, and the ban does not affect drinking water, showers, baths or washing machines. Standard exemptions typically apply for blue badge holders and customers on the Priority Services Register for certain uses, and businesses can continue using hosepipes where it is essential to their commercial activity, such as commercial car washes and growers.
Breaching a temporary use ban is an offence under the Water Industry Act 1991, carrying a fine of up to £1,000 on prosecution, although water companies overwhelmingly rely on reminders rather than enforcement. The last comparable restrictions in Wales were avoided in previous hot summers, with Welsh Water noting that it had previously managed through dry periods without formal bans.
Households in the affected postcodes can check the exact boundary map, the full list of restricted and permitted uses, and any exemptions on the Welsh Water website. Customers elsewhere in Wales are not covered by the ban but are being asked to use water carefully, since demand across the whole network remains well above seasonal norms and the fourth heatwave threshold may be crossed before the month ends.
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Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and reflects sources available at the time of the last review date shown above. It is not financial, legal or travel advice. Details can change quickly during live incidents; always confirm the current position with the official body concerned before acting.
When does the Welsh Water hosepipe ban start?
The temporary use ban starts at 10am on Sunday 19 July 2026 and remains in place for as long as Welsh Water judges necessary. No end date has been announced.
Which areas are covered by the ban?
Around 33,000 properties in mid and south Ceredigion, parts of north Pembrokeshire and parts of north Carmarthenshire. The exact boundary map is published on the Welsh Water website.
What is banned under a temporary use ban?
Using a mains-connected hosepipe to water gardens, wash vehicles, fill paddling pools, hot tubs or swimming pools, or clean paths, patios and windows. Watering cans, buckets and water butts remain permitted.
Can someone be fined for breaking a hosepipe ban?
Yes. Breaching a temporary use ban is an offence under the Water Industry Act 1991 with a fine of up to £1,000 on prosecution, though companies typically rely on warnings first.
Why has Welsh Water introduced the ban?
Demand exceeded 1,000 megalitres a day for a week, nearly 20% above normal, during the third heatwave of the summer, with no significant rain forecast until late July. The ban protects essential supplies.
