Thousands of benefit claimants are being allowed to dodge hosepipe bans as millions of other Brits are placed under restrictions during the third heatwave of the year.

Two water firms have given an exemption to those on the WaterSure tariff, a scheme for people on benefits who use large amounts of water for ‘essential’ reasons.

They must either have at least three children in full-time education living in the home, or someone with a medical condition that needs significant amounts of water.

People however cannot apply for the scheme because they want to water a garden with a hose or sprinkler, or refill a pond or pool with a capacity above 10,000 litres.

Southern Water activated a ban for one million people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight last Friday; while Affinity Water, which has 3.9million customers, will introduce a ban for parts of London and six counties in the South-East from Friday.

Both firms have confirmed an exemption for their WaterSure customers but insisted this was intended to avoid confusion and prevent disabled people being put at risk. Southern has 17,742 customers on the WaterSure scheme, while Affinity has 3,146.

Cambridge Water, which also imposed a ban, has an exemption but only for WaterSure customers whose disability makes it very difficult to use a watering can.

Four other water companies are only allowing exemptions to the ban for Blue Badge holders or customers on the Priority Services Register for vulnerable households.

Affinity Water: A hosepipe ban for its central region highlighted in orange will begin on Friday

Southern Water: A hosepipe ban for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight began last Friday

WaterSure caps bills for low-income households who receive any one of the benefits of Universal Credit; Pension Credit; Housing Benefit; income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; Income Support; or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

Some water firms also offer WaterSure – which was introduced by Labour in 1999 – for those on Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments.

But Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake MP told the Daily Mail: ‘It beggars belief that people getting reduced water bills at the expense of everyone else are exempt from this hosepipe ban.

‘Of course, those with disabilities or a genuine need should be able to use a hosepipe. But the fact that people claiming welfare are also exempt, while full bill-payers face the restrictions, will come as a kick in the hosepipe.’

Neil O’Brien, the Conservative MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, said on X: ‘Taxpayers should start ‘ignoring’ tax demands until their money stops being chucked away on Benefit Street.’ 

Suella Braverman, the Reform MP whose Hampshire constituency of Fareham and Waterlooville is within the Southern Water ban, told the Telegraph: ‘How ridiculous has this country become when you have to be on benefits to use water?

‘It’s absurd and another act of lunacy in Labour’s two-tier Britain where aspiration and hard work are punished. Many people will rightly ask what is the point of working when you can get so many benefits for free.’

It comes as some Brits vow to breach the hosepipe bans imposed in recent days, saying they failed to fix leaks while paying bosses millions of pounds in bonuses.

Firms have imposed usage restrictions amid huge strain on supplies and an increasing risk of drought.

More than 11million people in southern and eastern England are now under a ban, with a further 21million encouraged to reduce hosepipe usage to avoid constraints.

But homeowners are furious at the restrictions as firms leak around three billion litres of water every day across England and Wales after water bosses have awarded themselves £112million in bonuses and incentive payments over the past decade.

Some are also unimpressed after sewage pollution hit a new high last year and Environment Agency water company ratings fell to the lowest level on record.

Many have therefore insisted that they will continue to use their hosepipes despite facing a fine of up to £1,000 and a criminal record if caught breaking a ban.

Anglian Water: A hosepipe ban for five million customers in eastern England is now active

South East Water: A ban for Kent began on July 3, while other areas are being asked to cut use

Cambridge Water: A hosepipe ban for the company’s 350,000 customers will begin on Friday

Thames Water: All customers have been asked not to use hosepipes, but no ban is in place

Yorkshire Water: Customers are told to ‘use a watering can instead of a hose where you can’

Drought fears are rising with officials particularly worried about East Anglia, Devon, Cornwall, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight following a very dry spring and summer.

Scorching conditions in the July heatwave – which follow the hottest ever days in May and June – are leading to an ‘extreme’ risk of wildfires and ongoing rail disruption.

London has had no rain since June 27, and there are no downpours listed in the Met Office forecast running until Sunday, meaning at least 22 consecutive dry days.

As the dry conditions continue, hosepipe bans have been announced by Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, South East Water and Southern Water.

People in the affected areas now cannot use hosepipes for watering their garden, washing cars, outdoor areas or windows or filling up swimming or paddling pools.

Thames Water and Yorkshire Water are urging people to stop using hosepipes but have not imposed bans. Severn Trent, Essex and Suffolk Water, Wessex Water and Portsmouth Water are among other firms urging customers to use water wisely.

Anglian Water placed its five million customers across eastern England under a ban last Saturday.

Cambridge Water announced a ban for the first time in three decades for its 350,000 customers which will come into force on Friday.

South East Water activated a ban for 850,000 customers in Kent on July 3.

Water minister Emma Hardy met with bosses two weeks ago to discuss their preparedness for a hot summer as companies try to manage tight resources.

The dry grass in a parched landscape at Wimbledon Common in south-west London yesterday

An Affinity Water spokesman said: ‘WaterSure supports customers who have an essential need and need to use more water, such as those with certain medical conditions.

‘We recognise that different customers need different types of support, and we work to understand their circumstances and provide the right type of help where needed.

‘We highlighted WaterSure customers in our communications as more than 85 per cent were also registered as a Priority Services Register customer, and we wanted to make it simple and clear where the exemptions apply and where support is available.’

A Southern Water spokesperson added: ‘The WaterSure tariff supports customers who have higher essential water use for a variety of reasons, from larger families to disability to mobility issues. 

‘Some qualify for multiple reasons. Rather than introduce a complex process that could create confusion and anxiety among the more vulnerable, we’ve communicated to everyone on this tariff in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that the current hosepipe restrictions do not apply to them.

‘Our messaging makes clear that we still expect these customers to use water wisely, and we have offered advice on how they can reduce their water usage without affecting their essential needs. 

‘Even small changes make a big difference and we’re grateful to all our customers for their support in helping protect the environment and keep taps flowing.’

WaterSure is regulated by the Government through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and monitored by water industry regulator Ofwat. The Daily Mail has contacted both for comment.