Wessex Water announces hosepipe bans covering the Broadstone BH18 area starting from midnight on Tuesday 18th August 2026
What does the hosepipe ban mean for Broadstone?
From 00:01 on Tuesday 18 August 2026, Wessex Water's Temporary Use Ban (TUB) restricts the use of hosepipes for watering gardens, lawns, flowers and plants across its supply region. This includes using a hosepipe connected to an outside tap for routine garden watering.
You can still water your garden without a hosepipe, including with watering cans or buckets. Water collected in a water butt can also be used. Wessex Water has published exemptions for certain health, safety, animal-welfare and other circumstances, so check its current rules before assuming an exemption applies.
For Broadstone gardeners, the practical consequence is simple: watering a large garden now means carrying water by hand or finding another permitted method. Containers, hanging baskets and newly planted plants are likely to need the most attention, while established beds and shrubs can be prioritised according to their condition.
Our Aquist watering service can still help you during a hosepipe ban by using legal methods to keep your plants alive. Contact us if you need help.
Broadstone water supply and hardness.
Broadstone's water supply comes from Wessex Water. The area is on the boundary with Bournemouth water, which may have different drought restrictions. See the map for details of who supplies your water.
Broadstone's tap water is hard. Wessex Water's results for BH18 8AQ show 286.4 mg/l of calcium carbonate, which is classified as hard water. Hardness can vary between local supply areas. Check the water quality for your own property using Wessex Water's postcode checker.
Map showing boundary between Wessex water and Bournemouth water areas
Last 12 months of rainfall data at the Hurn Meteorological station
2026 has been a rollercoaster year in Dorset for rainfall.
January: exceptionally wet with 210mm of rainfall.
February was the 9th wettest on record (140mm 210% of average).
Spring turned much drier: the April–June period came in at only 76% of the long-term average.
June 2026: 54.6mm, but nearly all of it fell in the first 10 days and the rest of June was largely dry.
July 2026: rainfall fell to virtually zero at Hurn, following an already very dry spring and early summer. The prolonged dry weather and heat put considerable stress on gardens, crops and natural vegetation across Dorset, with some local agricultural harvesting taking place earlier than usual.
Does it matter whether your water supply is hard or soft?
For most garden plants, no. The vast majority of border plants, vegetables and lawns tolerate either hard or soft water perfectly well. However, acid-loving (ericaceous) plants such as camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons and blueberries need acidic soil to take up nutrients properly. If irrigation water is alkaline, repeated use may gradually increase soil pH, particularly in containers and other situations where there is little opportunity for minerals to be washed away. A water butt provides naturally soft rainwater and is particularly useful for acid-loving plants.
If you are seeing yellowing leaves with green veins on an acid-loving plant, check the soil pH rather than assuming the problem is simply lack of fertiliser.
Rainfall 2025/2026 (Hurn Met station)
Met Office 28-day weather outlook for Broadstone (BH18)
The difference between a Forecast and an Outlook!
The Met Office's 28-day outlook gives an indication only and can provide useful guidance on whether conditions are expected to be generally warmer, cooler, wetter or drier than normal.
Current outlook:
The Met Office outlook suggests that warm and predominantly settled conditions are likely to continue through much of the remainder of August, with periods of more unsettled weather possible at times. Rainfall is currently more likely to be below average overall, although some wetter interludes and locally heavy showers remain possible. Temperatures are expected to be above average, with further warm or hot spells possible, particularly in southern England.
What this could mean for your garden:
What this means for Broadstone gardens: after the exceptionally dry July and continuing dry conditions, gardeners should expect watering to remain important, particularly for containers, newly planted plants, vegetables and other vulnerable plants. Any significant rainfall should be welcomed, but occasional heavy showers will not necessarily replace the need for regular deep watering where the soil remains dr
Updated: 12 August 2026
Drought and hosepipe restrictions
During prolonged dry weather, water companies can introduce Temporary Use Bans (TUBs), commonly known as hosepipe bans. The restrictions and exemptions can vary, so if a ban is in force you should always check the current guidance from Wessex Water, which supplies Broadstone. A restriction can affect the use of hosepipes and other watering equipment, so don't assume that a particular irrigation system is exempt. Water butts and stored rainwater can be particularly valuable during dry periods, but check the current Wessex Water guidance if restrictions are in force.
Looking further ahead — the next 4–6 weeks
European Centre for Medium range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) - updated 12 August 2026
The latest ECMWF sub-seasonal outlook suggests that temperatures around Broadstone are likely to remain above the seasonal average through much of the period ahead. The signal is strongest from late August into early September.
The rainfall outlook is less clear-cut. Rainfall around Dorset is expected to be close to the seasonal average, with no strong indication of a prolonged unusually dry or wet period over the coming weeks.
What this could mean for your garden
Warmer-than-average conditions can increase water demand even when rainfall is around normal levels. Keep a particular eye on containers, newly planted areas, hanging baskets and free-draining soils, which can dry out quickly. Established plants in the ground are generally better able to cope, particularly if the soil retains moisture.
This is a long-range trend rather than a day-to-day weather forecast. ECMWF forecasts conditions week by week up to 46 days ahead and compares them with the model's normal conditions for that time of year. Confidence decreases as the forecast extends further ahead.
View the latest ECMWF long-range forecast — temperature
View the ECMWF rainfall outlook — precipitation
Broadstone (BH18) residents are entitled to a free garden survey and soil check where we can provide recommendations and support for garden watering problems, soil condition, and planting advice. No obligation to purchase services.
If you would like more information about garden watering generally, see our knowledge page.
If you would like help with garden watering see our Aquist garden watering service page.
Planning an automatic irrigation system?
Wessex Water requires notification before installing or altering a garden watering system unless it is operated by hand. Automatic irrigation systems and other hands-free watering devices may also require a water meter. .