8:32 am, August 12, 2026
Car dealers in the south of England could be banned from washing vehicles after a major water board applied for an official drought order.
Southern Water, which feeds most of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, has asked the government to apply a ‘non-essential use ban’ (NEUB) in its region.
The measure, which could impact more than 27m people, would prevent businesses from using mains water for activities including vehicle washing, in news that could result in a major headache for dealers.
According to The Times, the proposed restrictions would also cover cleaning windows, watering outdoor gardens and filling or maintaining non-domestic swimming pools.
Environment secretary Angela Eagle now has 28 days from the application being made to decide whether to grant the rare request.
No NEUBs have been imposed in the UK since 2006, with the previous example dating all the way back to 1996.
However, with the UK set for its hottest summer on record, ministers are now giving serious consideration to the application.
Southern Water said the measure is ‘precautionary’ and has been prompted by exceptionally dry conditions, as well as pressure on the River Test, which supplies much of the water used by Southampton and the Isle of Wight.
A spokesman for Southern Water said: ‘Without the NEUB drought order, the reduction in the volume of water that Southern Water can abstract from the [Test] will directly impact its ability to meet customer demand.”
‘The approximate 165,000 population of the Southampton West supply area could soon be significantly affected by a restricted water supply.”
‘Our application is a precautionary measure only. The regulatory process takes time and we need to ensure options are available if exceptionally dry conditions continue.
‘Applying does not mean the measures will be used. It’s a precautionary step that allows the necessary scrutiny and approvals to take place while there is still time to plan effectively.’
The company added it normally supplies between 550m and 560m litres of water a day but demand has risen above 660m litres during the hot weather.
Flows in parts of the River Test have fallen to around half their usual levels or below, according to the report.
Southern Water previously applied for a similar order during drought conditions in July last year, but rainfall meant it was ultimately not required.
In response to the application, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said any order ‘must be weighed up carefully against impacts to nature and people’.
A spokesman said: ‘This government is ready to take action to help secure water supplies if required. We are working closely with the Environment Agency, water companies, farmers, and environmental organisations to protect water supplies and minimise environmental damage.
‘We all have a role to save water in these unprecedented times, and any drought order must be weighed up carefully against impacts to nature and people.’
For dealers operating in areas covered by the proposed order, a ban on vehicle washing could have a direct impact on preparation of new and used cars, valeting operations and vehicle handovers if the restrictions come into force.
Car dealers in Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Chichester, and Bognor Regis would likely be unaffected by the measure, as their water is supplied by a separate body – Portsmouth Water.