Hosepipe bans work, UKWIR research finds

Temporary use bans (TUBs) are an effective demand reduction tool, an UKWIR review of 2022 drought demand management measures has found.

The study was to quantify the change in water use due to the implementation of drought measures during 2022, including the communication campaigns delivered by all companies and the TUBs introduced by six water companies in August 2022.

UKWIR established that TUBs consistency reduced distribution input (DI) in all six areas, by 3.34%, and reduced household demand by 6.62%. DI figures are diluted by leakage and non household consumption.

Meanwhile the research explained that quantifying the impact of communications campaigns was harder to determine. But there were small DI reductions before TUBs were put in place.

The study's recommendations inlcuded the following.

TUBs are effective.

The water savings captured in 2022 were at the lower end of expectations, likely because the bans were introduced in late summer. Companies should consider how to implement TUBs sooner to increase their effectiveness.

Communications are an essential precursor to TUBs or other usage controls.

Companies should develop a specification for communication campaign data so the effectiveness can be better evaluated.

The area would benefit from further research.