We're applying for a Non Essential Use Ban (NEUB)

A Non Essential Use Ban (NEUB) is a statutory restriction on mains water use we can apply for under a Drought Order (under Sections 73 and 74(2)(b) of the Water Resources Act 1991) and implemented when there is a threat of serious water shortages. It targets commercial and non-household water use and requires approval by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

This is an action included in our Water Resources Management Plan(opens in a new tab) and Drought Plan(opens in a new tab), but we do not take it lightly. We only apply and implement it under exceptional circumstances.

The Non Essential Use Ban (NEUB), if granted and implemented, would affect non-household and business customers in Sussex where we are the wholesale supplier for water. This includes businesses, commercial premises, public sector organisations, and all other non-domestic users.

If we implement a NEUB, we will:

• Publish a notice in the local newspapers
• Post a message on our social media channels
• Write to stakeholders, local authorities, and MPs in Sussex
• Write to water retailers
• Send out letters to non-households and business customers in Sussex
• Brief our staff about the ban
• Update this webpage with additional information

Objections can be made by post or by email to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs no later than Friday 16 October.

Email:

water.resources@defra.gov.uk(opens in a new tab)

Postal address:

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Water Resources Policy

Seacole Ground Floor

2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF

We implemented hosepipe restrictions (Temporary Use Ban) for household customers in Kent, Sussex, Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire in July. Due to the severity of the situation, we announced on 2 October 2026 that certain TUB exemptions are being removed in Sussex effective from 9 October 2026. This means exemptions previously in place - such as commercial hosepipe cleaning for domestic properties, window cleaning, and filling domestic pools - have been removed, except for health, safety, and animal welfare purposes.

More information about the additional measures for household customers in Sussex can be found here(opens in a new tab).

We’ve fast-tracked several key engineering projects to ensure water moves more easily across our network, take the pressure off existing supply sources, and transfer more water directly into Sussex.

We are hard at work on major engineering projects to ease demand on Ardingly Reservoir and slow the rate at which its water levels are falling.

This includes:

• Drought Permit: On Friday, 28 August, we applied for a Drought Permit(opens in a new tab) in Sussex and it was granted by the Environment Agency on Tuesday 29 September. The permit allows us to reduce the amount of additional water that is released from Ardingly Reservoir into the Shell Brook tributary of the River Ouse and reduce the minimum flow of water that must remain in the river at Barcombe Mills after water has been taken from it for customers.
• Bringing a treatment facility back online: this will be manually run to produce an additional 1.4Ml/d of water.
• Connecting county networks: Having fast-tracked the construction of a new pipeline connecting treated water from Bewl in Kent to the East Sussex network, this system is now supplying the network and transferring 0.9 million litres/day. Moving water between counties in this way provides greater resilience and flexibility, and reduces the amount of water being drawn out of Ardingly Reservoir.
• Optimising network pressure in Sussex: We are actively controlling water pressure across Sussex to reduce water stress on our network. Balancing pressure provides a more consistent, reliable supply, minimises burst pipes, and reduces water loss from leaks. For customers, this reduced water waste helps lower bills and means fewer service disruptions.
• Tackling leakage: We’re prioritising the Sussex area around Ardingly to make sure more water we put in supply is reaching customer homes. We’re doing this by doubling the number of leakage teams to support in the affected areas from seven to 14, and will increase further in the coming weeks. Between April and August 2026, we repaired 893 leaks in the region, which is more than last year. However, the prolonged dry weather we’ve experienced this year means the soil has shrunk and contracted, causing significant ground movement. This has put more pressure on pipes and led to an almost 20% increase in reported bursts. We’ve also increased our staff in Sussex to the highest number ever to find and fix leaks, from 14 to 21, repair teams. With the extra workforce coming on stream, our goal is to make a noticeable difference for your area. We spend around £63 million a year on finding and fixing leaks across the network and are committed to investing further to reduce the amount of water lost to leaks by half by 2050.

If the NEUB is implemented, non-household customers must not use mains water for the following non-essential activities, unless a specific statutory exclusion or discretionary concession applies:

1. Watering outdoor plants on commercial premises using a hosepipe
2. Filling or maintaining a non-domestic swimming pool, paddling pool, or hot tub
3. Filling or maintaining a non-domestic pond
4. Operating a mechanical vehicle washer
5. Cleaning any vehicle (not private motor vehicles), boat, aircraft, or railway rolling stock using a hosepipe
6. Cleaning non-domestic premises (exterior walls and structures) using a hosepipe
7. Cleaning windows on non-domestic buildings using a hosepipe
8. Cleaning industrial plant using a hosepipe
9. Suppressing dust using a hosepipe
10. Operating automatically operated flushing cisterns in unoccupied or closed buildings

I have a question that isn't covered by this page.

Please read our full list of FAQs which may provide more clarity on specific industries.

If your question is still unanswered, you can get in touch with us here.