Outrage Erupts as Dulwich Private School Uses Sprinklers on Sports Pitches Despite Hosepipe Ban Exemption

A resident has expressed their shock and anger towards Dulwich College, a prestigious private school, for employing multiple sprinklers to irrigate its sports pitches during a hosepipe ban. This incident occurred despite the fact that students had already commenced their summer holidays weeks earlier. The resident captured images of the college grounds early yesterday morning, shortly after Thames Water imposed the ban, which prohibits the use of hosepipes and sprinklers for various activities including watering gardens, washing cars, or filling pools.

Concerns Over Water Usage During Restrictions

Dulwich College has maintained that it is exempt from the hosepipe ban, citing a provision that allows for the watering of “playing surfaces of sports pitches on health and safety grounds.” A spokesperson for the institution, which concluded its academic year earlier in July, asserted that they are “using water as conservatively as possible.” However, the resident, who remains anonymous, voiced their frustration regarding the considerable volume of water being used, describing it as a “blatant disregard” for the restrictions imposed on the community.

The resident stated, “I was quite shocked that they were using extensive amounts of water the day after the introduction of the ban. It felt like it was a blatant disregard, like ‘the rules don’t include us’.” Observations confirmed that multiple sprinklers were indeed operational, and further reports noted that the school continued to water its sports pitches later that same day.

Academic Calendar and Scheduled Activities

The Dulwich College sports calendar indicates that the pitches were utilised for training sessions by the ‘Senior Rugby South Africa Tour Squad’ on both July 22 and July 23. The next scheduled activity on the calendar is set for August 25, when Under 16 rugby pre-season training will commence. The college, established in 1619, is renowned as a leading day and boarding school for boys aged between two and eighteen years, with fees reaching as high as £67,416 annually.

A representative from Dulwich College addressed the concerns raised by the public, confirming their adherence to the Thames Water regulations. “Under the hosepipe ban introduced by Thames Water, which took effect at 00:01 BST on July 23, 2026, the playing surfaces of sports pitches are exempt from the restrictions on health and safety grounds. Watering is permitted where it is necessary to maintain safe playing conditions and reduce the risk of injury,” they stated. The spokesperson reiterated that the college is operating within this exemption and aims to utilise water sparingly.

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