Bristol hosepipe ban 2026: what it means at home

In late August 2026, Bristol Water introduced its first hosepipe ban in around 50 years. It covers every home it supplies, from the city centre out to Keynsham, Kingswood, Bradley Stoke and beyond. This guide explains why it happened, what is and is not allowed, and the simple plumbing fixes that save the most water while the ban is on.

Why there is a ban

Bristol Water says it introduced the ban from 00:01 on Thursday 27 August 2026 to protect water resources in the River Severn. The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales applied for a drought order to protect the river.

In dry weather, Bristol Water takes more than half of its water from river sources, including the Severn through the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. The summer of 2026 had the UK’s fifth heatwave of the year, and the Environment Agency declared more than 70% of England, including Bristol, in drought.

In October 2026, Bristol Water explained in a news update that a few rainy days help but recovery takes time. Reservoirs and rivers need sustained rain to refill. When this guide was updated on 23 October 2026, its website still listed the ban as in place.

What you cannot do

While the ban is in place, you must not use a hosepipe to:

• Water your garden.
• Wash your car.
• Fill a paddling pool, swimming pool or hot tub.
• Clean your patio or driveway.
• Clean walls or windows.

The full legal notice is linked from the same Bristol Water page if you need the exact wording.

What you can still do

Water for normal household use is not affected. You can drink, cook, wash, shower, flush toilets and run washing machines as usual.

You can also:

• Water plants with a watering can.
• Wash a car with a bucket and sponge.
• Use water from a water butt.

Who is exempt

Bristol Water lists these exceptions on its hosepipe ban page:

Exception	Notes
Blue Badge holders	Hosepipe use allowed
Priority Services Register customers	If unable to make reasonable adjustments due to health or disability
WaterSure Plus customers	Same condition as above
Health and safety	Where water is needed to protect people
Animal welfare	Pets, livestock and fish

Bristol Water still asks exempt customers to be careful with water where they can.

Household leaks waste more than you think

A hosepipe ban is aimed at garden use, but leaks inside homes waste water every hour of every day. Bristol Water says it has increased its own leak detection and repairs during the drought. At home, the most common hidden wasters are easy to fix.

A running toilet. A flush valve that does not seal lets water trickle into the bowl all day and night. You often cannot hear it. Put a few drops of food colouring in the cistern and wait half an hour without flushing. Colour in the bowl means a leak. Our guide to a toilet that keeps running covers the fix.

Dripping taps. A drip every second adds up. In Bristol’s hard water, worn washers and scaled ceramic cartridges are the usual cause. Bristol Water says its whole area is moderately hard to very hard.

Loft tank overflows. If a pipe is dripping from the eaves, the float valve in the loft tank is not shutting off. Water is running straight out of the house.

Underground supply pipe leaks. These are the biggest wasters, and the hardest to see. A lawn strip that stays green while the rest of the garden is brown is a strong clue. Our guide to a water meter leak test shows how to check.

If you find a leak on your supply pipe

The pipe from your boundary stop tap into your home is your responsibility. Bristol Water’s leak help page lists support for homeowners:

• Up to half an hour of free leak detection, with advice.
• An automatic £100 subsidy once a repair is confirmed.
• £250 if you replace the leaking supply pipe within 21 days.
• A leakage allowance for metered customers if repaired within 21 days.

Our guide on who pays for a Bristol Water leak explains the boundary in detail. Our leak detection page explains how hidden leaks are traced.

Gardens in a drought

Many Bristol homes have small walled gardens and back yards, especially in Victorian terraces across Bedminster, Easton and Bishopston. Larger gardens are more common in places like Henleaze, Westbury on Trym and Keynsham. A few tips that fit the ban:

• Fit a water butt to a downpipe. That is plumbing work you can often do yourself with a diverter kit.
• Water in the early morning or evening with a can.
• Reuse cooled washing up water on ornamental plants.

If you are in BS9, our Henleaze area page covers the housing and plumbing common there.

Will there be more bans

Bristol Water has warned about climate and population pressures on water supplies. In October 2026 it called on Bristol businesses to help protect supplies. Nobody can say for sure when the next ban will come. Fixing leaks and running toilets now saves water this year and every year after.

What affects the cost of leak repairs

We do not publish fixed prices. The cost is confirmed after a look at the job. A toilet flush valve or a tap cartridge is a small job. A supply pipe leak under a drive or lawn depends on its length, what is on top of it and whether it is old lead.