For the first time in thirty years Cambridge Water Company  have applied a temporary hosepipe ban. From 9 July 2026, hosepipe restrictions are in place across the Cambridge Water region following one of the driest springs in recent years and exceptionally warm weather throughout the summer so far. The restrictions would be enforceable from 1am on Friday 17 July 2026.

Everyone (with very limited exceptions) who are supplied in their region will need to stop using their hosepipes for the following non-essential activities:

• watering gardens
• filling ponds, fountains, paddling pools, swimming pools, hot tubs or cold-water plunge pools
• washing cars, patios or windows

You can still carry on with these activities if you’re using water from a bucket or a watering can.  

You can also use water that is not sourced from mains water, such as grey water or rainwater from a water butt.