New drought powers for water firms

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Filling private swimming pools and using hosepipes to clean patios will also be banned in times of drought as part of an overhaul of the 62-year-old hosepipe ban law.

The new measures give water firms greater powers to limit domestic water use without having to first seek Government permission.

At present, hosepipe restrictions stop householders using them to water their gardens and wash cars.

The new "discretionary use" ban will extend the scope of the restrictions, according to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Using hosepipes to wash privately-owned boats, clean the outside of buildings, clean hard standings or fill domestic ponds will also be banned.

Water firms will have the power to choose which activities they restrict under the discretionary use powers, which are meant to be more flexible than the existing rules.

The legislation overhaul follows a Government consultation which launched in March. It is hoped the new rules will be in force by next summer.

Environment Minister Phil Woolas said 13 million people were affected by hosepipe bans during 2006.

"We saw an extreme drought in the South-East then, and outdated legislation meant gardeners couldn't water their plants with a hosepipe but their neighbours could power-wash their patios or fill swimming pools. That situation was clearly inconsistent and illogical," he said.