Are car washes open during a hosepipe ban? UK rules for 2026

Are car washes open in the hosepipe ban?  (Credit: Pxhere)

Where are hosepipe bans in the UK in 2026?

Hosepipe bans are currently in force across large parts of England after a prolonged period of hot, dry weather put pressure on water supplies.

The latest Environment Agency update shows that nine water companies have Temporary Use Bans (TUBs), commonly known as hosepipe bans, in all or parts of their supply areas. More than 25 million people have faced restrictions on water use during the summer drought.

The water companies currently operating hosepipe restrictions are:

• Affinity Water – restrictions in its Central and East regions, covering areas including Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey and parts of London and Essex
• Anglian Water – restrictions across its whole company area, except Hartlepool
• Bristol Water – restrictions across its supply area
• Cambridge Water – restrictions across its whole supply area
• Essex & Suffolk Water – restrictions across its whole supply area
• Southern Water – restrictions for customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
• South East Water – restrictions across its whole supply area
• South West Water – restrictions across its whole supply area, except Bournemouth
• Thames Water – restrictions across its whole supply area
• Wessex Water – restrictions across its whole supply area

The exact areas covered can change, so customers should check their water company's latest advice to see whether a hosepipe ban applies to their property.

What can you not do during a hosepipe ban?

A Temporary Use Ban generally restricts the use of a hosepipe connected to the mains water supply for activities such as:

• Watering a garden or allotment
• Washing a car or other private vehicle
• Filling or maintaining a swimming or paddling pool
• Cleaning patios, driveways and other outdoor surfaces
• Using a hosepipe to clean windows
• Using a hosepipe with a pressure washer

There are exemptions for certain circumstances, including some medical, disability, animal welfare and business uses. The precise rules and exemptions vary between water companies, so check the terms of the ban applying in your area.

Is England in drought?

Yes. The Environment Agency says drought conditions remain in place across large parts of England following exceptionally dry weather. The latest figures show drought affecting more than 70% of England, with water resources remaining under pressure despite some recent rainfall.

Latest from UK water companies (02/09/26)

Can I use a hosepipe to wash my car if there is a ban?

No. You are not permitted to use a hosepipe to wash your car – unless it is connected to a water butt that would be expected to collect contents through rainwater – and not the mains.

Can I use a jet washer to clean my car in a hosepipe ban?

No – if the jet washer is connected to a mains-fed hosepipe, you cannot use it to wash your car or other purposes.

Although, if connected to a water butt with rain water or from washing etc, then you should be okay to use it.

Are there exemptions that allow me to wash my car using a hosepipe during a ban?

Yes. If you own a commercial vehicle – such as a taxi or hearse used for funerals – you will be able to use a hosepipe to wash your car.

You can also use a hosepipe at home to clean your car if it is fed by a private borehole or artificial lake or pond that you happen to own.

Can I wash my car using a bucket?

It is allowed to use a sponge and bucket to wash your car. You can also use ‘grey water’ such as bathwater to fill up a butt and connect a hose to it if you have the facilities to do so.

Will car wash prices increase due to the hosepipe ban?

A Thames Water ban, for example, could affect as many as 15 million people - putting strain on car washes currently operating in London. This could also see prices rocket as demand soars. Something that will be the same in other areas with such bans on domestic hoses. 

How much water will it save by banning hosepipes for washing cars?

Using a hosepipe to wash a car can require as much as 500-litres of water, whereas using a bucket will use 30-40 litres of the wet stuff.

Will an official drought declaration mean car washes close?

No, not immediately. An official 'drought' declaration will mean more hosepipe bans across the country, but commercial car washes will be able to continue operating - but home use of hoses to wash your vehicle will be banned unless you fall into the exemptions. 

When could commercial car washes be forced to close?

If conditions worsen, an 'extreme drought' could be declared. This would result in local restrictions that could easily see car washes shut down, or limited in number as they would be considered non-essential water use. 

Can mobile car valeters operate during a hosepipe ban?

Yes, mobile car valeters can usually continue operating during a hosepipe ban, as the restrictions generally apply to domestic customers using a hosepipe connected to mains water.

Professional car cleaning businesses may be allowed to use hoses and pressure washers if they have commercial exemptions or are using water from alternative sources. However, the rules can vary depending on the water company and the type of restriction in place.

Drivers should check with their local water supplier if they are unsure whether a mobile car wash service is permitted during a hosepipe ban.