Water Act 1945

16 Power to prohibit or restrict temporarily use of hosepipes.

(1) If any statutory water undertakers are of opinion that a serious deficiency of water available for distribution by them exists, or is threatened, they may, for such period as they think necessary, prohibit or restrict as respects the whole or any part of their limits of supply the use, for the purpose of watering private gardens or washing private motor cars, of any water supplied by them and drawn through a hosepipe or similar apparatus.

In this subsection the expression " private motor car " means a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads, other than a public service vehicle within the meaning of Part IV of the [20 & 21 Geo. 5. c. 34.] Road Traffic Act, 1930, or a goods vehicle within the meaning of Part I of the [23 & 24 Geo. 5. c. 53.] Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, and includes any vehicle drawn by a private motor car.

(2) The undertakers shall, before the prohibition or restriction comes into force, give public notice in two or more newspapers circulating within the area affected of the prohibition or restriction and of the date when it will come into force.

(3) Any person who, while the prohibition or restriction is in force, contravenes its provisions shall, in respect of each offence, be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five pounds.

(4) Where a prohibition or restriction is imposed under this section, charges made by the undertakers for the use of a hosepipe or similar apparatus shall be subject to a reasonable reduction to be settled in case of dispute by a court of summary jurisdiction and in the case of a charge paid in advance any necessary repayment or adjustment shall be made by the undertakers.

The procedure for obtaining the settlement of a dispute under this subsection by a court of summary jurisdiction shall be by way of complaint for an order, and the Summary Jurisdiction Acts shall apply to the proceedings.