Affinity Water is introducing a hosepipe ban affecting Ruislip and Ruislip Manor, as part of a wider ban across its Central region. The ban is a formal statutory notice under Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991, and comes into force from 00:01 on Friday 17 July 2026.
Why the ban has been introduced
Last month was the warmest June on record for England, with temperatures reaching as high as 37.7°C, and hot, dry weather has continued since. As a result, demand for water is up 20% on average.
Although autumn and winter brought above-average rainfall, a dry, warm spring has meant groundwater levels are still falling. Affinity Water is also currently receiving less water than usual from Grafham Water reservoir, which normally supplies around 10% of the Central region’s water.
Affinity Water is asking residents in Ruislip and Ruislip Manor to use water wisely and stop using hosepipes, to help protect water supplies for everyone.
What you can’t do
From Friday, residents in Ruislip and Ruislip Manor should not use a hosepipe for:
- Watering a garden
- Washing a private car
- Watering plants at home
- Cleaning a private leisure boat
- Filling or topping up a swimming or paddling pool
- Recreational use, such as filling paddling toys or slides
- Filling or maintaining a pond
- Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain
- Cleaning walls or windows
- Cleaning paths or patios
- Cleaning other outdoor surfaces such as decking or driveways
Buckets, watering cans, water butts and greywater can still be used for all of the above.
Who’s exempt
Blue Badge holders and customers on Affinity Water’s Priority Services Register are automatically exempt from all of the restrictions above. A few other exceptions apply too — for example, watering newly laid turf or newly planted trees, drip/trickle irrigation systems fitted with a timer and pressure-reducing valve, and businesses using a hosepipe as a paid service (such as commercial car washes). Full details of the exemptions are set out in Affinity Water’s statutory notice.
Anyone who breaks the ban without a valid exemption is committing an offence and could face a fine of up to £1,000.
Have your say
Affinity Water is accepting written representations about the ban until Thursday 16 July 2026, by emailing TUBrepresentations@affinitywater.co.uk.
What happens next
Affinity Water says it is monitoring the situation daily and will lift the restrictions as soon as conditions allow it to balance water supplies sustainably across the network.
For the latest updates and full details of the ban, visit Affinity Water’s website.
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