Hosepipe ban applies to pub gardens but cans OK

The current hosepipe and sprinkler ban in the south-east does apply to pubs, despite water boards giving commercial properties the green light to use hosepipes.

Licensees may face fines of up to £1,000 for using their hose to water hanging baskets and gardens at the pub. They can still use watering cans.

Most water suppliers' websites refer to a ban in private gardens and Southern Water's website states: "The use of hosepipes, or similar apparatus for watering private gardens and washing private motor cars is prohibited."

Though pubs are commercial properties, pub gardens are classed as private.

Southern Water spokesperson Jessica Spratt said: "Pub gardens are considered as private gardens, therefore the hose and sprinkler ban applies to them." Spratt said the guidelines are set out in the Water Industry Act 1991.

David Wharton, head chef at the Royal Oak Poynings, East Sussex, said he wasn't aware that pub gardens were classed as private: "The owner Paul Day informed me that we couldn't use hosepipes, otherwise I wouldn't have known. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of licensees are caught out by this."

The Royal Oak has a large outside area and the garden is a key feature: "It isn't too much trouble to just use a watering can for the plants but if licensees aren't aware, they may face a hefty fine."

The ban applies to premises supplied by the following companies: Southern Water, Sussex, and the Isle of Wight; Thames Water, London and Surrey; South East Water, north Hampshire, Berk-shire, Surrey, Sussex and Kent supply area; Three Valleys Water, north London, Hertfordshire, parts of Bedfordshire, Bucking-hamshire, Essex and Surrey; Mid Kent Water; Sutton and East Surrey Water; and Folkestone and Dover.

For more information visit www.beatthedrought.com