Garden Taps and Hosepipe Bans in London: Legal Rules and What Homeowners Need to Know
London homeowners installing outdoor taps or using hosepipes face specific rules including Water Supply Regulations requirements and hosepipe ban restrictions. This guide explains the legal position, installation requirements, and what hosepipe bans mean in practice.
The Legal Requirements for Installing an Outdoor Tap in London
Installing an outdoor tap on a London property is subject to the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, which require that any tap or hose union connector fitted to the outside of a building that is connected to the public water supply must be fitted with a double check valve on the supply pipework inside the building. This requirement exists to prevent backflow contamination of the public water supply: if a hosepipe is left submerged in a pond, water butt, or bucket of water containing contaminants and the mains water pressure drops, there is a risk that contaminated water could be drawn back through the hose and into the mains supply. The double check valve prevents this by ensuring that water can only flow in one direction through the connection.
The notification requirement for outdoor tap installation depends on how the new tap is connected. If the outdoor tap is served by a new branch connection from the internal cold water supply pipework that terminates at the outside wall, the work may require notification to the local water authority if the new connection involves work to the section of pipework between the water meter and the internal stopcock. In practice, most outdoor tap installations in London connect from the internal mains cold supply after the internal stopcock and do not require formal notification, but it is the homeowner responsibility to ensure compliance with the Water Supply Regulations.
Hosepipe Bans in London: What the Law Says
Hosepipe bans, which are more accurately described as temporary use bans, are imposed by water companies under powers contained in the Water Industry Act 1991 and the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. Thames Water, which supplies most of London, has the power to impose a temporary use ban when supplies are under pressure during extended dry periods. A temporary use ban applies to specified uses of hosepipes including watering private gardens, washing private motor vehicles, and filling domestic swimming pools. Breach of a temporary use ban is a criminal offence that can result in a fine of up to one thousand pounds.
A temporary use ban does not prohibit the use of garden taps for all purposes. Filling a watering can from an outdoor tap is permitted under a hosepipe ban, as is using a drip irrigation system if it is fitted with a timer and is not operated by a manual valve that is held open by hand. The ban targets the wasteful use of water through a freely running hosepipe rather than the use of garden taps generally. If you are in any doubt about what is permitted under a specific temporary use ban, the relevant water company will publish detailed guidance on its website when a ban is in force.
Outdoor Tap Installation Advice for London Homeowners
The ideal position for an outdoor tap in a London property is on the rear or side elevation of the house, with the tap positioned at a convenient height for connection of a standard hosepipe. The supply pipework inside the wall should be run in insulated pipework where it passes through any unheated space, such as a cavity wall or a garage, to prevent frost damage in cold weather. The double check valve should be installed inside the building in an accessible position, and a separate service valve should be fitted inside so that the outdoor tap can be isolated during winter months when it is not in use. Leaving an outdoor tap running during freezing weather can cause the pipework and the tap body to split. Prestige Engineers install outdoor taps for London homeowners and ensure all Water Supply Regulations requirements are met including the installation of the required double check valve.