The first hosepipe ban in 26 years for Cornwall begins 12.01am today.

The ban was announced on Monday, August 15 with South West Water saying it was left with 'no choice' but to enforce the restrictions in the whole of Cornwall and some parts of Devon.

It comes as Cornwall was officially placed under drought status along with several other counties in the country after July was declared as the hottest month on record since the 1976.

In a statement on their website South West Water said: "It’s the first time in 26 years but we’ve been left with no other choice.

"We need to have a hosepipe ban now to protect our precious water.We’ve done our best to avoid this ban. We’ve increased the amount of water we can store - doubling it since the last drought in 1976.

"We’ve opened reservoirs, installed a new borehole, and improved the way we can move water across the region to help keep everyone’s taps running."

The service added that though they have fixed over 2,000 leaks a month and doubled the amount of leak detection staff in their roster that this has still not been enough to prevent a ban.

What you can't do from a hosepipe:

  • Water a garden using a hosepipe
  • Water plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe
  • Draw water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use
  • Fill or maintain an ornamental fountain
  • Fill or maintain a domestic pond using a hosepipe
  • Fill or maintain a domestic swimming, paddling pool or hot tub
  • Clean a private vehicle using a hosepipe
  • Clean walls, or windows of domestic premises using a hosepipe
  • Clean paths, patios or other artificial outdoor surfaces, such as decking using a hosepipe
  • Clean a private leisure boat using a hosepipe

Any breaches of the ban could result in a fine of up to £1000.

Customers can still undertake these activities without using a hosepipe if they use tap water from a bucket or watering can, or use water that is not sourced from taps - such as rainwater from a water butt, or a private borehole, for example.

This temporary measure will not apply to blue badge holders or those on South West Water’s priority register. Businesses and farmers are unaffected.

There is no date scheduled for the end of the ban.

Lisa Gahan, the director responsible for water resources at South West Water, said: “Due to the prolonged dry weather, we believe the right thing to do is to introduce a Temporary Use Ban, acting now in areas of the region where we are forecasting pressures on reservoirs, to protect water resources and to safeguard the environment, allowing rivers and reservoirs to recharge over the winter months.

"We want to thank customers right across the South West for playing an important role in proactively reducing usage and only using the water they need, and we ask them to continue saving water.

"Each and every day, teams across South West Water work tirelessly to deliver over 870 million litres of clean, safe and reliable drinking water to a population of circa 3.5m, rising to 10m as visitors flock to the region in the summer months, and that remains a priority.”

For more information about or queries regarding the ban visit the South West Water website.

READ NEXT: Shocking pictures of Stithians Reservoir as the current drought affects Cornwall