ONE IN TEN HOUSEHOLDS SAY THEY WILL NOT FOLLOW HOSEPIPE BAN

More than one in ten households living in areas subject to hosepipe restrictions do not intend to comply with the bans, according to a YouGov survey of over 4,200 adults. Seven water companies have introduced the restrictions across England, affecting approximately 23 million customers or around 40% of the population. The survey found that around 5% of respondents remained uncertain whether they would adhere to the ban.

Support for the restrictions is divided among the public, with the poll indicating that 49% of households support a hosepipe ban in their local area, whilst 35% oppose the measure. When asked about their response to neighbours breaching the ban, 10% of householders said they would report a violation, 71% said they would not, and the remainder expressed uncertainty. Reasons given by respondents for non-compliance included concerns about fruit and vegetables spoiling due to the difficulty of watering plants with a watering can, and a belief that metered customers should be permitted unlimited water use because they pay for consumption.

The restrictions follow severe drought conditions across much of the UK. According to the poll's source, the country experienced four heatwaves in the year to date, with temperatures reaching 35C in some areas. Recorded rainfall in parts of the UK fell to just 1mm during July. The seven water companies introducing the restrictions are Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, Southern Water, South East Water, Thames Water and South West Water.