Following Wessex Water's announcement of a temporary hosepipe ban from 00:01 on Tuesday 18 August 2026, Dorchester Town Council has consulted with its elected members on how best to manage water use across the public spaces it maintains.
For around a decade, the Council has drawn water from a borehole to maintain fields, gardens and flower containers across Dorchester. This water also supplies both the ornamental fountain and the children's play area fountain in the Borough Gardens.
As the borehole draws from a private water table 100 metres below ground level, its use is exempt from the hosepipe ban, also known as a Temporary Use Ban (TUB). However, the Council recognises the importance of the wider water-saving effort across the region, and Wessex Water's decision to issue its first TUB since 1976 has prompted the Council and its elected members to take the following voluntary actions:
Ornamental fountain
The ornamental fountain in the gardens will be switched off and drained for the duration of the TUB.
Children’s play area fountain
The fountain located in the children’s play area will also be switched off for the duration of the TUB.
Trees, plants and flowers in public spaces
Scheduled watering of plant and flower areas, and of young trees still becoming established, will continue as planned. Priority will be given to specimens where losing them would mean a significant waste of prior investment.
Allotments
The Town Council's allotments utilise mains water supplied by Wessex Water; however, Dorchester Town Council already has agreements in place with all allotment holders requiring them to water their crops using buckets and watering cans only, with no use of hosepipes permitted.
The Council encourages all residents to observe Wessex Water's restrictions and to use water responsibly during this period. Further guidance on what the TUB means for households is available on Wessex Water's website: https://www.wessexwater.co.uk/hosepipe-ban
The Council remains committed to maintaining Dorchester's public spaces to a high standard while acting responsibly during periods of water stress. These measures detailed in this statement will remain in place for the duration of the TUB. The Council will confirm when normal arrangements resume, in line with Wessex Water's announcement. The above measures will also be held under constant review for the duration of the TUB and may be adjusted as circumstances require.