Savvy Britons reveal the creative ways they're bypassing hosepipe bans - from homemade hoists to shower heads hung out of windows

Thames Water's ban came into effect at 12.01 today for ten million customers
READ MORE: Is your garden dull and dry? Expert reveals how to look after your lawn, flower beds and plants during the summer heatwaves - as UK's new hosepipe ban kicks in
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Millions of Britons have been left facing a hosepipe ban following reduced rainfall and three heatwaves during one of the UK's hottest summers on record.

More than 11million customers of Southern, South East, Cambridge and Anglian Water, as well as Affinity Water in the Home Counties, have been ordered not to use hosepipes, with threatened fines of up to £1,000.

Thames Water has also announced a hosepipe ban that is set to affect more than ten million customers.

Under the restrictions, households are banned from using hosepipes for any non-essential activities, such as watering gardens, cleaning cars, filling paddling pools or topping up hot tubs.

Now, several Britons have taken to social media platforms to poke fun at their region's respective bans - by suggesting some rather humorous ways to water plants and fill up paddling pools.

From using shower heads hanging out of windows, submerging watering cans in bins and even using home-made hoists filled with bath water - many have got remarkably creative with their lighthearted attempts at bypassing the new rules.

Taking to TikTok to share a rather hilarious attempt at navigating the hosepipe ban, one Briton was captured holding their shower head out of the window in the hopes of it reaching the paddling pool in their garden below.

'If you're lucky it should be full by next year,' quipped one user, while another reminisced: 'We used to use the washing up bowl when we were little.'

Several Brits have taken to social media platforms to poke fun at their region's respective bans by suggesting some rather humorous ways one can still water their plants and fill up their paddling pools

One TikTok user humorously quipped that he would 'accidentally' wash neighbours' plants while cleaning his windows

One Brit shared how they filled up a bin with bath water and used a home-made hoist to carry it down to the garden to fill their paddling pool

'Take the shower head off and you get better flow from the pipe attached. Worked a treat for us,' advised another commenter.

'I've attached my kitchen sink to a pool noodle chain taped together. It worked great,' one commenter shared.

Under the restrictions, there are a multiple of exceptions that mean certain customers can still water their gardens or fill up a pond even after restrictions have been imposed.

From religious baptism ceremonies to watering grass that was recently planted by a company, there are a number of surprising circumstances in which a hosepipe can still be use.

Customers on the 'Priority Services Register' can also have these exemptions – including those who are on dialysis, a feeding pump or automated medication and those who suffer from a chronic or serious illness.

However, those who fail to qualify for any of these exemptions have been forced to get creative with their workarounds - and are now taking to social media to share their savvy tips and tricks.

During a temporary ban, customers can still use watering cans to water their plants or fill their pools - resulting in some individuals using a bucket or even a bin to transport their water up and down the garden.

Others have resorted in getting rather creative - with one Brit sharing how they filled up a bin with old bath water and used a homemade hoist to carry it down to the garden and fill a paddling pool.

Under the restrictions, there are a multiple of exceptions that mean certain customers can still water their gardens or fill up a pond even after restrictions have been imposed

Others were seen making a makeshift filter by using a water bottle attached to the sink, while some suggested just sticking to the average watering can

For those looking to treat their plants directly, some users suggested investing in so-called 'water buddy's' - which act as reservoirs that you can fill directly with water and then slowly feed into potted plants over a sustained period.

Meanwhile, others were seen making a makeshift filter by using a water bottle attached to the sink, while some suggested just sticking to the average watering can.

'I obsessively collect rainwater just in case,' one rather prepared commenter revealed. 'I have bins and garbage cans and rain barrels filled!'

However, other TikTok users appeared outraged at the suggestion that Brits would be abiding by the hosepipe ban rules to begin with - with one rather enraged commenter writing: 'I'll use as much water as I want. They keep raising the prices, so I'm using more.'

'There is absolutely no way I'd be sticking to the hosepipe ban, I'm using what I'm paying for!,' added another.

'The hosepipe ban is absolutely ridiculous,' said one commenter. 'I just don't understand the sense in banning hosepipes but it's still fine to fill up watering cans from the exact same tap.

'Pretty sure I use less water with the spray function of a hosepipe than I do with watering cans.'

'Hosepipe ban? No thanks - I pay my water. We will be emptying and refilling the pool everyday like usual!,' added another.

However, other TikTok users appeared outraged at the suggestion that Brits would be abiding by the hosepipe ban rules to begin with

Another TikTok user questioned if 'anyone else is intending to ignore the hosepipe ban' that has been enforced across large parts of England

Pressure on water resources is intensifying, with the current spell of warm weather following three unprecedented heatwaves and the driest spring on record for England and Wales.

The announcement comes after the Environment Agency revealed large parts of southern, central and eastern England have moved closer to official drought status.

Thames Water becomes the latest in a string of firms to impose hosepipe bans in southern England, which has seen very little rainfall this month.

The company said water use is currently 10 per cent above normal in the Thames Valley and the Home Counties, as well as 7 per cent above normal in London.

Customers are currently using an extra 100million litres every day – equivalent to adding all the homes in Manchester to the network, the firm added.

Periods of hot weather can push up demand as customers consume more water to stay cool and water gardens, while farmers use more for crop irrigation and industries use more for protecting infrastructure from the heat.

Hotter temperatures can also lead to physical pressure on underground water pipes, leading to higher rates of bursts and leaks, while the lack of rainfall means very little replenishment for reservoirs.

Helen Wakeham, chair of the National Drought Group and director of water at the Environment Agency, said: 'All sectors are taking action, and we are grateful to the public for following the restrictions, where in place, to make sure there is enough water for everyone this summer.

'We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated during the hot weather but every drop we can save is a drop more for nature and agriculture.'

Rainfall totals for the month of July to date ranged from 9 per cent of the long-term average in the North West to nothing in the East and South East, the Met Office said.