Can you use an outside tap during a hosepipe ban? Experts reveal the workaround that’ll keep your plants hydrated

Thames Water has just announced a hosepipe ban, following a string of other regions falling under the restrictions. It’s a sad day for my hose reel, and a host of other gardeners who I’ve heard asking one question in particular: Can you use an outside tap during a hosepipe ban?

Well, the good news is that hosepipe ban rules don’t prohibit the use of outside taps completely – it’s more about how you use them, and you’ll need to be aware of the dos and don’ts if you want to avoid stumbling into fines.

So, under what circumstances can you use an outside tap during a hosepipe ban? I consulted the experts to find out.

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So, can you use an outside tap during a hosepipe ban?

Absolutely – but, as you’d expect, you can’t use a hose with one. You’ll need to find other ways to water your garden during a hosepipe ban instead – and I’d recommend making sure you’ve got a big watering can in stock, like this 10-litre Ward Watering Can from Argos.

‘Homeowners are allowed to use an outdoor tap during a hosepipe ban, so long as they’re using it to fill a hand-held container, like a watering can or bucket,’ says Craig Pennington, managing director at Universal Tankers. ‘In fact, this can be a great way to keep on top of watering your garden during a ban.’

That means sprinklers, pressure washers and hosepipes are out, and manual watering is in.

‘As the aim of a hosepipe ban is to prevent excessive water use, the restriction applies specifically to continuous water usage,’ explains Craig. ‘Therefore, connecting your outside tap to a hosepipe, sprinkler or pressure washer is strictly prohibited.’

If you’re wondering how to look after your lawn during a hosepipe ban, the same rules apply.

‘If a hosepipe ban is in place, you can use a tap to fill up a watering can, so it is still possible to water your lawn – and it uses significantly less water than a sprinkler or hosepipe,’ says Chris McIlroy, lawn expert at The Grass People.

‘Ensure you still water in the morning, focusing on giving it a deep soak a couple of times a week, instead of little and often, as this will make the most of your watering efforts.’

So, a hosepipe ban cracks down on exactly what you’d expect: hosepipes. That means you can use an outside tap during a hosepipe ban, as long as you use a watering can or bucket to collect the water.