Exemptions to Temporary Use Bans

Blue Badge holders and those on our Priority Services Register

Customers who are Blue Badge holders and those on our Priority Services Register and are physically unable or cannot make adjustments (due to health reasons) to safely adhere to the prohibition, can continue to use water without having to make representation to Dŵr Cymru Cyfyngedig to receive permission.

A full list of the exemptions can be found below.

Statutory Exceptions

Customers who meet the requirements below can continue to use water without having to make representation to Dŵr Cymru Cyfyngedig to receive permission. In using water, it is requested that customers use water wisely and adopt water efficient practices:

• Using a hosepipe for health or safety reasons, where this includes (a) removing or minimising any risk to human or animal health or safety; and (b) preventing or controlling the spread of causative agents of disease;
• Watering plants that are (1) grown or kept for sale or commercial use, or (2) that are part of a National Plant Collection or temporary garden or flower display;
• Cleaning any area of a private leisure boat which, except for doors or windows, is enclosed by a roof and walls;
• Filling or maintaining a pool where necessary in the course of its construction;
• Filling or maintaining a pool that is designed, constructed or adapted for use in the course of a programme of medical treatment;
• Filling or maintaining a pool that is used for the purpose of decontaminating animals from infections or disease;
• Filling or maintaining a pool used in the course of a programme of veterinary treatment;
• Filling or maintaining a pool in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity;
• Filling or maintaining a domestic pond in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity; and
• Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain which is in or near a fish-pond and whose purpose is to supply sufficient oxygen to the water in the pond in order to keep the fish healthy.

NB Watering areas of grass, which are used for sport or recreation, is covered by a Statuary Exception for health & safety only in relation to the active strip/playing area, not the entire ground.

Discretionary Universal Exceptions

Customers can continue to use water in line with the Discretionary Universal Exception criteria below without having to make representation to Dŵr Cymru Cyfyngedig to receive permission to use water for the following restricted uses. 

It is requested that customers that meet the requirements for a Discretionary Universal Exception use water wisely and adopt water efficient practices. 

• Watering newly laid turf for the first 28 days (if laid before the restriction was put in place), plants in pots or under cover,
• The watering of newly bought plants for the first 14 days,
• Customers using an approved drip or trickle irrigation system fitted with a pressure reducing valve and timer systems.

Cleaning a private motor-vehicle where this cannot be reasonably done using a bucket

• In the course of a business to clean private motor vehicles as a service to customers, using a specific approved apparatus, such as high specification pressure washers or a hosepipe with a hand operated trigger or a water efficient apparatus.

Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe

• Those using vessels as a primary residence;
• For filling a water tank in a boat where the water is to be used for washing, cooking or sanitation purposes;
• Cases in which the fouling of hulls is causing increased fuel consumption by the drag created;
• For engines designed to be cleaned with a hosepipe;
• To prevent or control the spread of non-native and/or invasive species where other means are not appropriate. 

Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool

• When filling a pool that is a fixed structure from empty after construction or significant refurbishment. Once it has been filled then a hosepipe cannot be used for any subsequent filling;
• Pools with religious significance when used as part of a religious ceremony;
• Pools fitted with approved water conservation or recycling systems;
• Paddling pools at early stages of a drought;
• Swimming pools serving industrial training if considered justified;

Cleaning walls or windows, paths or patios and any other artificial outdoor surface of domestic premises using a hosepipe

• In the course of a business as a service to customers. NB the use of water fed poles by commercial cleaners for cleaning at height is permitted under the H&S Statutory Exception.
• Where very low water use technologies are employed and approved by the water company e.g. not connected to mains supply with electric pumps that are connected to water butts filled by rainwater; 
• For the removal of graffiti - when graffiti is a hate crime, insulting or offensive.
• To prevent or control the spread of non-native and/or invasive species where other means are not appropriate. 

NB The domestic use of a water fed pole is not permitted under Discretionary Universal Exceptions.