East Sussex is served by 2 different water companies, and a ban is set per company, not per county. The county is genuinely the wrong unit of answer: your postcode decides.
South East Water has a ban in force. Southern Water has a ban in force. Which of these applies at your address depends on which one bills you.
You cannot use a hosepipe or sprinkler at home. A watering can or bucket is still fine, and the maximum fine is £1,000.
Kent
from 3 July 2026
Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire
from 25 July 2026
Areas covered: The entire South East Water supply area, under two separate legal notices. Kent has been in force since 00:01 on Friday 3 July 2026. Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire come into force at 00:01 on Saturday 25 July 2026.
You cannot use a hosepipe or sprinkler at home. A watering can or bucket is still fine, and the maximum fine is £1,000.
Started
10 July 2026
Ends
Until further notice
Areas covered: The Hampshire and Isle of Wight supply area ONLY, about 1 million customers. Southern Water's Sussex and Kent customers are not covered.
SWSouthern Water·Status checked just now·page dated 10 July 2026