Exemptions

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 who meet the criteria below for a Discretionary Universal Exception can continue to use water 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. This applies to Blue Badge holders and those on our Priority Services Register.

The criteria for a Discretionary Universal Exception include:

• Watering newly laid turf for the first 28 days;
• 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 using a hosepipe 

• Using a specific approved apparatus, such as high specification pressure washers
• A hosepipe with a hand operated trigger or a water efficient apparatus;
• Commercial customers that use hosepipes as part of their business for some Temporary Use Ban categories, e.g. hand car washing, window cleaning, graffiti removal).

Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe

• Those using vessels as a primary residence;
• 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 operate water features with religious significance;
• To customers on the company’s Vulnerable Customers List who have mobility issues but are not in possession of a Blue Badge.

Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool

• Swimming pools with covers;
• Pools fitted with approved water conservation or recycling systems;
• Paddling pools at early stages of a drought;
• Pools that are subject to significant repair and renovation;
• Filling new pools;
• Swimming pools serving industrial training if considered justified;
• Pools with religious significance.

Cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe

• Where very low water use technologies are employed and approved by the water company;
• For the removal of graffiti.

Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe and Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe

• Cleaning paths or patios or other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe for the removal of graffiti or where very low water use technologies are employed and approved by the water company;
• Small businesses whose sole operations are cleaning of vehicles using hosepipes;
• To prevent or control the spread of nonnative and/or invasive species.