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Section 76: Temporary bans on use

Water Industry Act 1991 · 1991 c. 56View on legislation.gov.uk

Part III: WATER SUPPLY — chapter III: Quality and Sufficiency of Supplies

A water undertaker may prohibit one or more specified uses of water supplied by means of its supply system if it thinks that it is experiencing, or may experience, a serious shortage of water for distribution.

Only the following uses of water may be prohibited—

watering a garden using a hosepipe;
cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe;
watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe;
cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe;
filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool;
drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use;
filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe;
filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain;
cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe;
cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe;
cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe.

The Minister may by order—

add a non-domestic purpose to the list in subsection (2);
remove a purpose from the list in subsection (2).

A prohibition must specify—

the date from which it applies, and
the area to which it applies (which may be all or part of the undertaker's area).

A person who contravenes a prohibition—

is guilty of an offence, and
is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

A water undertaker which issues a prohibition must make arrangements for a reasonable reduction of charges which are made in respect of prohibited uses (including arrangements for repayment or credit where charges are paid in advance).

A water undertaker may vary or revoke a prohibition.

The reference in subsection (1) to the supply system of a water undertaker is to be construed in accordance with section 17B.

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This legislation text comes from legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. These source and reuse terms cover the legislation text, not Remedy's commentary.

Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.