Date published: 2026-08-20 | Category: Climate Emergency, Delivering for local residents
Bath & North East Somerset Council has changed the way water is used across its parks and green spaces and introduced a range of measures to reduce the amount needed in response to the prolonged period of dry weather.
The council is aware of growing concern about pressure on water resources following the first hosepipe ban in 50 years for the region and remains committed to using water responsibly while continuing to maintain essential public services, protect public spaces and safeguard valuable environmental assets.
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including prolonged periods of hot and dry conditions, and is affecting how the council manages its parks, green spaces and planting schemes. While the council has always tried to make sure the right plants and trees are located in the right place, it is increasingly considering the resilience of species to future climate conditions when making planting decisions.
The council has already taken a number of steps to significantly reduce water usage, including:
- Stopping the use of hosepipes to water all flowerbeds and displays in parks and open spaces.
- Restricting watering within the council nursery to water sourced from its internal reservoir and prioritising only stock that is most at risk of dying.
- Reviewing its tree watering programme and prioritising newly planted trees that are most vulnerable to prolonged dry conditions.
- Watering hanging baskets only where contractual obligations are in place. All council hanging baskets and planters contain built-in water reservoirs, which mean watering rounds could be reduced.
Councillor Oli Henman, Cabinet Project Lead for Climate Change, said: "This prolonged spell of hot, dry weather has been really tough on our parks and green spaces and we're carefully considering how we use water and where it is most needed to protect them. Our teams have already changed the way we operate to reduce the amount of water we use and will keep looking for new ways to bring that amount down even further, as well as considering more rainwater capture and storage in future.
“We're working hard to strike the right balance between conserving water and protecting the amazing green spaces that make our area such a special place, some of which having just won Green Flag awards.”
The council will continue to monitor weather conditions and review its operations to identify further opportunities to reduce water use where possible, while balancing the need to protect public assets, support biodiversity and maintain services that residents rely on.
ENDS