We had a drought in our region during the summer of 2025 and we saw the underground aquifers, where we draw all of our water from, fall to lower-than-normal levels. Fortunately, over winter we saw more rainfall than normal, which helped replenish these underground reserves.  

However, we have seen below average rainfall since March, with April being one of the driest on record as well as hotter than normal. May brought the first heatwave of the year, with the record for the hottest May temperature ever recorded. 

Since April, customer demand for water has been at the highest ever levels for the time of year due to the dry, hot weather. The heatwave in May equalled the highest demand that we saw during a summer heatwave last year. This means we have started drawing down on our underground reserves sooner and faster than we normally would. We still have several months of summer ahead of us, which could be filled with equally hot and dry weather. 

On hot days, the demand for water outstrips the maximum amount of water we are able to abstract from the environment, treat and distribute. This means that some customers could experience poor pressure or loss of supplies. We are also putting the environment under stress at a time when it is already feeling the effects of lack of rainfall.  

We need to ensure we have enough water for all of our customers and for the environment today and every day through the coming months. This is why we have implemented a temporary hosepipe ban in our Cambridge Water region. 

Hosepipe usage at this time of year is high and uses up to 1,000 litres of water an hour – that’s the same as a family of four use in two days, or around seven full bathtubs. By hanging up the hoses, we can ensure that we’ll have enough water for everyone. 

We have detailed, long-term plans in place to ensure we can supply all our customers with a high-quality water supply. The last time we had to bring in restrictions was in 1995. 

The hosepipe restriction is effective from 9 July 2026 and enforceable from 1am on 17 July 2026.

If your home receives its water supply from Cambridge Water, then the restrictions will apply to you.  

If you’re in the Cambridge Water region but are supplied by either Independent Water Networks Ltd, ESP Utilities Group or Leep Networks (Water) Ltd, the restrictions still apply to you, and you’ll be contacted directly by them. This is because Cambridge Water supplies the water to these Newly Appointed Variants (NAV) companies that they supply to their customers. You can find their contact details on your latest water bill. 

If you’re a business or non-household customer, you are allowed to use a hosepipe if this is directly related to the use of water for your commercial purposes, but the restrictions do apply if you’re not using a hosepipe for essential needs – there are some examples in our exemptions section to help. 

Firstly, we have increased the number of teams we have repairing leaks – we know this is one of the most important areas we need to focus on to reduce the amount of water being wasted. These extra teams have meant we’ve been fixing around 125 leaks a week.

We have increased the capacity of several of our groundwater sites and brought others back into supply through investment and upgrade programmes.

We have worked with our neighbouring water company to bring in additional water from their area.

We have been using various radio stations in our region to promote the need for using water wisely and sharing water saving tips with our customers. We have also directly emailed customers to share the current water resource challenges and ask for support in helping to reduce the demand for water. 

We have seen a really positive response from many of our customers as they’ve voluntarily taken actions to reduce water use - a big thank you for your support so far. 

We have 12 teams repairing leaks reactively and 68 leakage technicians and analysts searching for and finding leaks proactively. That’s more teams out finding and fixing leaks than ever before. 

All of our operational teams contribute to the repair of leaks:

• Our Customer Services team who record reports of leakage from our customers and the general public
• The Technicians who find leaks and investigate leak reports
• The work schedulers who ensure we respond ASAP
• The repair gangs who undertake the excavation and fixing of leaks.

There are a vast number of people across the company who work, each and every day, on finding and fixing leaks. 

We are going to deliver a 20% reduction in leakage by 2030. We’re also going to replace 250km of water mains over the next five years, prioritising those pipes which we know are prone to leaks or bursts. And we’re embarking on a programme to roll out smart meters to all customers who are currently not metered. Meters are critical in helping us to locate leaks at our customers’ homes, as around 30% of all leakage occurs on customer property. 

We will not be reducing customer bills as a result of introducing hosepipe restrictions. 

Metered customers pay for the water that they use. As a hosepipe won’t have been used during restrictions, no charges will have been applied.

Unmetered customers don’t have charges that relate to the use of hosepipes. So, there are no charges made in respect of prohibited uses that would reasonably need to be reduced. 

Compensation doesn’t apply during hosepipe restrictions. Hosepipe restrictions are designated as an Ordinary Drought Order. Compensation only applies during the use of an Emergency Drought Order which is where the supply of water is limited or alternative arrangements are put in place to supply water, for example through rota cuts or standpipes erected in the street. 

We understand how frustrating it can be to face water use restrictions. This is especially the case in light of the recent bill increase. The recent increase in charges is to support our long-term investment programme. We're improving our infrastructure, protecting water quality and supporting environmental sustainability. These upgrades are essential to meet new regulatory standards. It also ensures reliable service for years to come.  

This is the first time Cambridge Water has had to implement a hosepipe ban since 1995, and before that was 1976 – a year that is famous for its hot dry summer.

However, 2026 has been hotter and drier than 1976, and our population has increased since then. This all means the demand for water has been higher, and, with below average rainfall since March, this has put pressure on our supplies. And it’s not just Cambridge Water that is feeling the effects of the drought – farmers are experiencing restrictions on their irrigation licences used to water their crops, the Canal & River Trust has had to close several routes to navigation due to water levels, and the Environment Agency is undertaking fish rescues in streams and rivers due to low flows. 

As every drop of water we supply comes from the environment, it’s important we all play our part to ensure there is enough water for everyone.

We’re encouraging our customers to think twice about cleaning their car at the moment. If you still feel you need to wash the muck off, you can do so with a bucket and sponge. Or, you can just give the windows, mirrors, lights and number plates a quick clean to make sure you’re safe and legal. 

Commercial car wash businesses will still be operating, as the restrictions currently cover only domestic type uses. We’re working closely with our non-household retailers to encourage businesses to reduce their usage where they can. 

Sports pitches can only use a hosepipe to water the area actively used for play, not the entire ground. A hosepipe or sprinkler can be used but only for health and safety reasons. For example, if the ground is becoming dangerously hard to play on.      

In general, hoses and sprinklers can’t be used in parks and public gardens and other green spaces. There are exemptions for health and safety, and for National Plant Collections.

Legally, some business activity is exempt from the restrictions. This is to prevent economic harm and also takes into account companies’ health and safety and other legal obligations.  Many businesses also invest in low water pressure apparatus and water recycling which means they are more water efficient. 

This is based on the legislation plus industry guidance which has incorporated consultation with trade organisations impacted by previous droughts. For example, car washes, National Plant Collections and watering active parts of sports grounds are exempt from the restrictions.

People can help by reporting leaks to us as soon as they see them. You can do this online or by calling 0800 389 1011. 

The independent organisation Waterwise has some fantastic free water-friendly activities for you and the children in your life which can help save water.

If you are a blue badge holder, on our Priority Services register, or our WaterSure tariff for medical reasons, then you will be exempted from the restrictions. However, we would still encourage you to think about how you could save and re-using water around the home as much as you can. 

People should not put themselves at risk unnecessarily. If you know someone who may struggle to use a watering can, they can apply for an exemption.

If you need a little extra help due to medical, learning, physical disabilities or financial difficulties, you can join our Priority Services Register. It means we can offer services to help support any specific needs you may have. You can find out more about it, and how to join, on our website. 

If you have joined our register for medical reasons, we understand that you may require the use of a hosepipe as part of this, or it prevents you from using an alternative method. This also applies to any customers holding a blue badge. 

We don’t want anyone to put themselves at risk unnecessarily and recognise that some customers who have specific needs may need extra support with the restrictions which will be in place. That is why they are exempt. 

A full list of activities that are exempt from the restrictions can be found in our official TUB notice. 

If you still need some further support with a specific query, you can contact us for help. 

You don't need to contact us about neighbours using hosepipes. If we hear of someone breaking restrictions, our approach will be to get in touch just to make sure they’re aware of the restrictions and how to use water responsibly, as well as check for any exemptions. However, enforcement may follow for repeated or serious breaches. 

Please do not call 999 if you see someone using a hosepipe.