Southern Water and Affinity Water exempt some customers from potential hosepipe bans under the WaterSure scheme, according to reports. The WaterSure tariff is aimed at people who receive certain benefits and are classified as needing higher water use for essential reasons. Under the exemptions described, customers on the WaterSure tariff are not subject to restrictions that would otherwise limit non-essential water use during periods of drought or other water-stress conditions.
The reports frame the exemptions as a response to criticism that Labour is “punishing hard work,” though details of the political dispute are not consistent across outlets in the information provided. The central points reported focus on utility policy: the companies apply the WaterSure exemption, allowing eligible benefit claimants who use large volumes of water for qualifying needs to continue those uses even if hosepipe bans are introduced.
Overall, the available information centers on who is covered (WaterSure customers) and which companies grant exemptions (Southern Water and Affinity Water), rather than on the wider scope of any bans or the criteria used beyond the WaterSure framework.
