UK Hosepipe Ban

Find out what the ban means for you, how to keep your garden green without breaking the rules, and why a water butt is your best friend in dry weather.

Hosepipe Ban in Place? Don’t Let Your Garden Suffer

What Does a Hosepipe Ban Mean for Me?

A hosepipe ban (also known as a Temporary Use Ban) means you’re not allowed to use a hosepipe for things like:

Watering your garden or lawn

Cleaning your car, patio, or windows

Filling paddling pools or ornamental ponds

But you can still use a watering can or a bucket and you’re allowed to use collected rainwater. That’s where a water butt makes all the difference.

How Long Could a Hosepipe Ban Last?

It depends on the severity of the drought, but they’re rarely short-lived.

In 2022, parts of Devon and Cornwall had bans lasting up to 13 months. Even when the rain returns, restrictions often stay in place while reservoirs recover.

If you’re thinking “I’ll wait until it rains again”. it might already be too late.

How a Hosepipe Ban Affects Your Garden

Without regular watering, plants quickly become stressed, especially in dry, sunny conditions.

Lawns can turn brown and patchy
Veg beds and borders can wilt or die off
Pots and containers dry out fast

If you’ve spent time and money on your garden, a hosepipe ban can be disheartening. But with a water butt, you can collect rainwater for the dry days ahead and keep your plants going without breaking the rules.

How Much Water Do You Actually Need?

A typical garden can use around 2,000–3,000 litres of water a month in summer.

Here’s what a water butt can give you:

200L water butt = enough for 25 watering cans
330L = enough for 40+ watering cans
650L = enough for 80+ watering cans

And with more than one butt, you can double or triple your storage.

Use our water butt size calculator to find out what size water butt you need for your garden!

Water Butt Calculator

water conservation with decorative water butts

“It’s a No-Brainer Really” – Julie’s Water Butt Story from Yorkshire

When a hosepipe ban hit West Yorkshire, Julie Jones knew her garden would struggle.

“My garden’s a sanctuary. I come out every morning to check what’s grown overnight — keeping it watered is really important.”

After seeing how low her local reservoir had dropped, and facing restrictions on hosepipe use, Julie started looking for a better way to save water.

“I’d been using the hosepipe more than I wanted, especially being on a water meter. A water butt just made sense.”

She needed one that looked good, didn’t take up too much space, and could hold enough rainwater to keep her pots and borders thriving. That’s when she found GRAF.

Now, with 330L of free rainwater on tap, Julie’s garden is still blooming — and her water bills are lower too.

“If you’re thinking about it, don’t hesitate. It’s a no-brainer really. I think all gardens should have a water butt.”