Yorkshire Water has announced a hosepipe ban across the region effective from 11 July 2025, following a prolonged period of low rainfall. While the University of Sheffield is classed as a commercial premises and therefore exempt from the ban, steps are being taken to actively reduce water use across campus.
The University’s Landscape Services team will scale back non-essential watering to support the regional conservation effort and demonstrate responsible water stewardship.
Essential watering will continue in key areas such as Firth Court and in some planters to protect newly planted trees, maintain planted beds, and ensure campus is looking its best for our upcoming graduation celebrations. However, the use of sprinklers will be minimised, and a revised watering strategy will be in place throughout the hosepipe ban period.
Our approach aims to balance environmental responsibility with the need to care for high-priority plantings and support important University events.
In addition to these temporary measures, the University’s planting schemes are designed with water conservation in mind. This includes the use of drought-tolerant perennials, wildflower meadows, and grasses. All planting beds are topped with locally sourced PAS 100 compost, which helps retain soil moisture and reduce evaporation.
Last year the University introduced new cleaning practices which are helping to save thousands of litres of water a year.