A list of exemptions has been published to protect jobs, livelihoods and disabled people during the hosepipe ban, which will be implemented by Anglian Water from tomorrow (Thursday).

Despite today's welcome downpour, the region remains in the grip of its most severe drought for a century, and several months of prolonged and widespread rain are still needed to restore precious groundwater and reservoir supplies.

AW said a hosepipe can use up to 1,000 litres of water in just one hour, which is more than the average household uses in an entire day.

So, starting tomorrow, its domestic customers will be banned from using hosepipes for activities including watering gardens, washing cars or filling ornamental ponds, although watering cans and buckets can still be used.

But the company says the following exemptions will be made:

?Blue Badge holders: People who hold a Blue Badge issued by their local authority can use a hosepipe to water a garden attached to domestic premises in order to water plants and their own allotment if applicable.

?Plants: You are allowed to use a hosepipe to water plants grown or kept for sale or commercial use; to water land used for the purposes of a National Plant Collection; to water temporary gardens or flower displays if they are for the purpose of a show or exhibition and on public display for a period not exceeding seven days.

?Drip irrigation systems: You are allowed to use a drip irrigation system to water your garden. This needs to be a drip or trickle irrigation watering systems fitted with a pressure reducing valve and a timer, which are not hand-held and which place water by drip directly onto or beneath the soil surface, without any surface run off or dispersion of water through the air using a jet or mist.

?Ponds: You are allowed to use a hosepipe to fill or maintain a domestic pond or ornamental fountain where fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity.

?Sports playing areas: General sports playing areas are not exempt, however where Health and Safety issues are identified the playing area in question can be watered, although best practice should be adopted to minimise watering. Examples of where Health and Safety issues may exist are Cricket, Football and Rugby. Bowls and Golf would not present significant risks. You are allowed to use a hosepipe to water an area of grass or an artificial outdoor surface used for playing sport or recreation (but not for any ancillary use), where this is required in connection with a national or international sports event.

?Swimming pools: You can use a hosepipe to fill or maintain a pool only where necessary in the course of its construction. There are also some exemptions relating to medical or veterinary uses.

?Business: Any commercial businesses operating at commercial premises are not included in the ban. Businesses that operate at a domestic property or wash private vehicles (eg; car/driveway washing or window cleaning) can use a hosepipe in the course of their work, where this is done as a service to customers.

?Health and Safety. Any activities that are necessary for Health and Safety reasons (ie; necessary to remove or minimise any risk to human or animal health/safety or prevents/control the spread of causative agents of disease).

AW managing director Peter Simpson said: 'We know some of our customers will find this ban difficult and we are very grateful for their co-operation. The last thing we want to do is impose restrictions but the drought is too serious to ignore.'