Tag: environment

hosepipe ban in our area

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

Dear Customer

Hosepipe ban introduced throughout our region

Following months of unprecedented hot and dry weather, demand for water has never been higher and we need to protect our water resources, both for you and the environment. 

Demand is, currently 30% higher than average, and with more hot weather to come and no significant rain forecast, we’ve made the difficult decision to introduce a hosepipe ban. 

It has been 50 years since water restrictions were last introduced in the Wessex Water region. We have worked hard to avoid the need for restrictions, but introducing a hosepipe ban now is necessary as no significant rainfall has been forecast for the coming weeks. 

What is a hosepipe ban?

A hosepipe ban, also known as a Temporary Use Ban (TUB), restricts the use of hosepipes for certain non-essential activities to help conserve water during periods of prolonged dry weather. 

When does the hosepipe ban start?

The hosepipe ban starts on Tuesday 18 August from 00:01 hrs. From this point, you must not use a hosepipe for activities covered by the restrictions. 

At this time, we can’t confirm when restrictions will be lifted. We will continue to monitor reservoir levels, river flows, groundwater levels, and demand for water. We will remove the hosepipe ban as soon as we can and let you know. 

What can I no longer use a hosepipe for?

  • Watering gardens, lawns, flowers and plants.
  • Filling or maintaining paddling pools and swimming pools. 
  • Washing private vehicles. 
  • Cleaning patios, paths, driveways, walls and windows. 
  • Filling ornamental ponds or fountains. 
  • Cleaning outdoor surfaces. 

A full list of restrictions can be found on our website.

Are there any exemptions?

You may be exempt from the ban if you are unable to make reasonable adjustments due to a health condition or disability. Using a hosepipe for health and safety needs, animal welfare and some business services and activities are also exempt from the restrictions. A complete list of exemptions can be found on our website.

Anything else you need to know?

For more information, including the latest updates and frequently asked questions, visit our website.

If you need to speak to us, please contact us or, report a problem online.

We understand this may be frustrating and appreciate the impact it may have on you. We would like to thank you for using water wisely throughout the summer and for your understanding, support and cooperation. 

Thank you

Ruth Jefferson, Chief Executive

Waste updates

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

Collections will be a day later during the week beginning Monday 31 August.

  • No collections on Bank Holiday Monday, 31 August.
  • Collections will be one day later for the rest of the week including those on Friday 4 September, which will now take place on Saturday 5 September.
  • Recycling sites that usually open on a Monday will still be open for the bank holiday.
Usual collection dayRevised collection day
Monday 31 AugustTuesday 1 September
Tuesday 1 SeptemberWednesday 2 September
Wednesday 2 SeptemberThursday 3 September
Thursday 3 SeptemberFriday 4 September
Friday 4 SeptemberSaturday 5 September

Since January 2026, there have been eight fires at Somerset waste facilities or on collection vehicles, with four caused by incorrectly disposed batteries and vapes. These items can be damaged during collection and processing, causing them to overheat and ignite. 

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in everyday items such as mobile phones, laptops, power tools, toys and e-bikes. 

Please, never place loose batteries, vapes or electrical items in your general rubbish bin. 

Residents are reminded to:

  • Never place loose batteries or electrical items, including those containing batteries in general waste bins.
  • Use designated battery and vape recycling points, often available in supermarkets, or place them in a small, clear tied bag and leave on top of recycling boxes for kerbside collection.
  • Take unwanted electrical items to local recycling centres.
  • Small electrical items (excluding monitors, TVs or microwaves) can be collected from the kerbside, they should be left in carrier bags for collection.
  • Residents can use the online lookup at recycleyourelectricals.org.uk for your nearest battery and electrical drop-off points.

For more information on safely recycling lithium-ion batteries and electrical items, visit our Waste pages

Temporary limit on fridge and freezer recycling

Fridge waste -GettyImages-2249851848 - richjem
During August, Somerset recycling sites will only accept one fridge, freezer or other cooling appliance per household because of a national shortage of specialist reprocessing capacity.Residents are asked to hold off bringing these items to recycling sites if they can be stored safely, or to use retailer take-back schemes where available, especially when buying a replacement appliance.The temporary limit applies to household users only. These appliances will not be accepted from commercial users.The situation will be kept under review and may continue beyond August if national capacity remains limited.

Top up with tap water this summer

Person topping up a reusable water bottle on MInehead Sea Front
While the hot weather continues across the region, don’t forget to head out with a water bottle and stay hydrated on-the-go.Save on the cost of buying a drink in a single-use plastic bottle or can. Many shops or cafes will provide free water bottle top ups, plus there are several easy-to-access water refill points thanks to Wessex Water which have helped to save thousands of plastic bottles. Find a map of locations via their website.

Severe weather warning

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

Please help share these key messages:

  • Drink plenty of water
  • Avoid the hottest part of the day (11am–3pm) and if you are out, wear a hat
    and sunscreen and stay in the shade where possible
  • Keep indoor spaces cool where possible, by drawing curtains or blinds
  • Check on older or vulnerable people
  • Avoid unnecessary travel
  • We would also remind people to take care around open water during hot
    weather, as swimming in open water can cause cold water shock and hidden
    hazards can pose serious risks even on very warm days.

Waste arrangements to change following heat health warning

Changes to recycling and rubbish collections and recycling site opening times

Somerset Council, alongside its waste contractors Biffa and SUEZ, is advising residents of temporary changes to waste services on Wednesday and Thursday (24 – 25 June 2026), due to the forecast high temperatures.

The changes support the welfare of collection and recycling site crews, as well as keeping the safety of the public in mind.

The changes will reduce the risk of heat stress following the announcement of a red heat health alert by UKSHA (UK Health Security Agency).

Recycling, rubbish, bulky waste and clinical collections

Waste collection services, operated by SUEZ, will take place from 6am to midday on Wednesday and Thursday.

No collections will take place after midday on those days.

Any recycling not collected on Wednesday or Thursday afternoon will not be returned for. Residents should take it back in and present it again on their next scheduled recycling collection day.

Rubbish and garden waste collections that are not completed on Wednesday or Thursday afternoon will be collected on Saturday.

Any uncollected clinical or bulky waste collections will be completed later in the week, including Saturday. Disruption to these services is expected to be minimal.

Residents are asked to put their recycling, rubbish and garden waste out the night before their scheduled collection day, or by 6am at the latest.

Recycling sites

All 16 of Somerset’s Recycling Sites, which are operated by Biffa, will amend opening hours to close to the public from midday on Wednesday and Thursday.

Closing the sites at noon helps to protect both the team’s that work there, as well as encouraging residents to avoid tasks that may be strenuous in hot weather, like moving and lifting materials.

Hot weather food waste advice

As temperatures rise, residents are reminded that a few simple steps can help keep food waste containers clean and reduce smells or pests:

  • Keep food waste bin lids closed to reduce smells and pests
  • Store bins in a shaded area where possible
  • Line caddies with newspaper or compostable liners
  • Clean caddies regularly to keep them hygienic
  • Freeze food waste until collection day to help prevent odour and flies

Residents are encouraged to keep up to date with any changes to waste services through Somerset Council’s website and Somerset Waste social media channels.

waste collections

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

Somerset Council has announced that there will be no recycling or rubbish collections taking place during the upcoming Spring Bank Holiday on Monday, 25 May.

Collection days will change across Somerset following the bank holiday.

All collections will be 1 day later than the usual schedule:

  • If a resident’s usual collection day is Monday, it will now take place on Tuesday.
  • Tuesday collections will be moved to Wednesday, Wednesday collections to Thursday, and so on.
  • For those who usually have a Friday collection, their collection will be rescheduled to Saturday 30 May.

If opening on a Monday is part of the Recycling Centre’s opening days, then it will be open as usual from 9am to 6pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

To help manage the increased volume of recycling, residents are encouraged to make extra space in their recycling boxes by crushing and flattening their recyclables.

This simple step can make a difference to help reduce the number of trips crews need to make to empty their vehicles.

For more information about what can be collected for recycling and to check a collection day visit the Council’s Bins, recycling and waste pages.

Early start during hot weather.

Waste collections in Somerset will begin from 6am next week, from Tuesday 26 May as temperatures are expected to climb.

The early starts are to help crews impacted by the hot weather and help to minimise any chance of disruption to recycling, rubbish or garden waste collections across the county.

Waste collection is hard, physical work and early starts help limit the time crews spend working in the hottest part of the day.

Somerset Council is asking residents to put their bins out the night before to make sure they are prepared for the early start.

Cutcombe update

Published on by Lesley WebbLeave a comment

I’m writing to provide a further update on the ongoing repair works along the A396 at Cutcombe Hill.

Over the past week, we have been able to stand down the planned night‑time road closures, which has reduced disruption to local residents and road users. During this time, the team has continued to make steady progress by completing the remaining elements of the scheme under daytime traffic light control. This has allowed us to keep the road open where possible while maintaining a safe working environment for the crew.

The scheme is now approaching its final stages. However, as part of the excavation and reinstatement activities, some unavoidable damage occurred to the road surface due to the movement and storage of materials and equipment on site. After reviewing the condition of the carriageway, it has been agreed that this presents a good opportunity to carry out resurfacing to ensure the road is returned to a high standard. Completing this now will avoid the need for a separate return visit later in the year and will provide a smoother, more durable finish for all road users.

To deliver these surfacing works safely and efficiently, we are proposing short daytime road closures on Thursday 26th February from 9am to 3pm and Friday 27th February from 9am to 3pm. These closures will give the crew the necessary working area and will prevent vehicles from travelling over freshly laid material before it has properly cured.

Once the resurfacing is complete, this will conclude the major civil engineering and reinstatement activities required for this scheme. Following this, only minor finishing tasks and site demobilisation will remain, which will be carried out with minimal impact on traffic.

We appreciate the continued patience and cooperation shown by residents, local businesses, and road users throughout these works. Your understanding has enabled us to progress the project effectively and safely.

If you have any questions or require further information, please let me know.

Yours faithfully,

Kali 

Kali Martin
Assistant Highway Service Manager 

Somerset Council Area – West