England’s Drought-Era Water Ban Leaves Public Greens Brown While Private Grounds Stay Verdant

A prolonged spell of heatwaves and more than a month without rain has pushed half of England into drought conditions. Water utilities—including Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, Southern Water, South East Water, Thames Water and South West Water—have imposed hosepipe bans covering roughly 40 % of the population. Temperatures have topped 30 °C on dozens of occasions this summer, prompting residents to let lawns and community gardens wither.

The Guardian

The bans contain exemptions for golf courses, sports pitches and school playing fields. As a result, the playing fields of St Paul’s school (fees up to £57,000 a year) and Dulwich College (fees up to £67,000 a year) remain bright green, watered by extensive irrigation systems despite being out of term. The Royal St George’s Golf Club in Kent—host of the Open Championship and charging about £400 per day for visitor access—also retains its manicured fairways while nearby public parks have turned brown.

The Guardian

Local residents have voiced anger at the disparity. Community-garden caretaker Julith Jedamus described her hydrangeas as “going very brown” despite hand-watering.

The Guardian

Prof Hannah Cloke, a natural hazards researcher at the University of Reading, warned that allowing sports fields to stay green can undermine household-level conservation efforts. “I would hope green keepers and grounds staff follow best advice about when to water, only watering areas that they need to. It does seem crazy to sprinkle drinking water over sports pitches that don’t need it, when others are facing severe shortages.” — University, natural hazards researcher

The Guardian

• Water-use exemptions: schools, golf courses, sports pitches.

The Guardian

• Population under ban: ~40 % of England.

The Guardian

• Water companies enforcing bans: Affinity, Anglian, Cambridge, Southern, South East, Thames, South West.

The Guardian

• Fees for highlighted schools: St Paul’s (£57,000/yr), Dulwich College (£67,000/yr).

The Guardian

• Golf-course visitor fee: Royal St George’s (£400/day).

The Guardian

The contrast between privately maintained greens and the brown public landscape has intensified debate over water-allocation policy, with activists urging the removal of exemptions to ensure equitable water use during England’s ongoing drought.

The Guardian