Car washes and gym pools could be closed under drought-triggered water rationing

Southern Water company has applied for permission to extend the scope of restrictions to preserve supplies for households amid the ongoing drought

Car washes could be ordered to shut and health club swimming pools closed under a potential wave of water rationing.

Southern Water has applied for permission to impose what is called a “non-essential use ban” in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The company already has a hosepipe ban in place in the two areas. A consultation closes on Tuesday and if approved by the government, it would ban businesses from activities such as washing cars and windows with hosepipes or other devices, and filling swimming pools. It would be the first time the Government has authorised such a measure since 2006.

A spokesperson for Southern Water, said: “These are precautionary measures and making an application does not mean they will be introduced. However, we must follow the regulatory process to protect water supplies and the environment if dry conditions persist.”

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were among seven English regions declared to be in drought conditions, last month. Given the the widespread use of hosepipe bans across England and Wales, it is possible other companies could also apply to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs for wider restrictions.

Regulator Ofwat describes a non-essential use ban (NEUB) as a “more serious step” that water companies can take if dry conditions continue after a hosepipe ban has been introduced. While hosepipe bans mainly affect households, NEUBs specifically target businesses. Businesses use around a third of all water supplied in the UK, so restrictions on commercial water use can make a significant difference to overall demand, it says.

If a NEUB is put in place, businesses must stop using water for the likes of watering outdoor plants on commercial premises, filling or topping-up a non-domestic swimming pool,filling or maintaining a pond, operating a mechanical vehicle washer, cleaning any vehicle or boat, cleaning non-domestic premises, “suppressing dust”, or operating cisterns in unoccupied buildings.

A government spokesperson said that public swimming pools were not included in the restrictions, that generally do not trigger any right to compensation. If it were granted it would be the first time the Government has authorised such a measure since 2006.