Wessex Water Temporary Use Ban (Hosepipe Ban)

Wessex Water have issued a Temporary Use Ban (Hosepipe Ban) as of today (Tuesday 18^th August). More information on the ban and frequently asked questions can be found HERE!

What this means for clubs in Somerset

Under the legislation, sports pitches can be watered only where necessary for health and safety on the area actively used for play. In practice for cricket:

• Cricket pitches/square (active playing surfaces): You may use a hosepipe to water the pitch(es) in use where needed to maintain a safe playing surface (e.g. to avoid dangerously hard or dusty conditions). This is a health and safety exemption, not for appearance or performance.
• Outfield and non‑playing areas: Watering the outfield, practice areas, or ornamental planting with a hosepipe is not permitted during the ban.
• Private water sources: If your club uses a private borehole or harvested rainwater (not mains water), hosepipe restrictions do not apply to that supply. However, you are still encouraged to use water responsibly and only where essential.

Clubs do not need to register for an exemption but should be prepared to explain that any hose use is for health and safety on the active playing surface if questioned.

What Guidance is there for clubs?

• The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has produced guidance which can be found below:
  • Preparing pitches under drought restrictions
  • Effective and efficient watering in hot, dry weather
• Check the advice locally in your area from the water company you use so you’re fully up to speed.

Additional Best Practice

To help cricket clubs conserve water and maintain safe playing surfaces, clubs should consider the following:

1. Water only where needed – When preparing pitches, apply water only to the areas where it is necessary. Avoid over-application, runoff and unnecessary water loss. Where appropriate, use targeted or hand-watering techniques.
2. Water at cooler times – Where watering is permitted, consider irrigating in the evening or at cooler times of the day to reduce evaporation and allow water to infiltrate the ground overnight.
3. Use covers where available – If covers are available, clubs can use them to help retain moisture in the ground following permitted irrigation and reduce water losses through evaporation.
4. Conserve water in the clubhouse – Clubs should also help reduce water consumption by:
   1. Fixing leaks promptly.
   2. Turning off taps when they are not in use.
   3. Avoiding unnecessary water use.
   4. Keeping shower times to a minimum.
   5. Encouraging members and visitors to use water responsibly.

Summary

Where necessary for health and safety, cricket pitches can be watered on the area actively used for play. However, clubs should not interpret this as a general exemption to water the entire cricket square or outfield. Water should be used sparingly, responsibly and only where genuinely necessary.

Somerset Cricket Foundation asks all clubs to conserve water wherever possible and to check the latest Wessex Water guidance before undertaking any watering during the Temporary Use Ban.