Actually that's correct. All aspects of using water during a drought under a 'water-ban' is basically being heavily restricted. Which DOES include watering the lawn, washing the car, laundry, and shower length. You get penalized if you use too much. It's nuts!

Ash: The Sahara (Arabic: الصحراء الكبرى‎, Aṣ-Ṣaḥrā´ al-Kubrā, "The Great Desert") Sahara, means desert in Arabic.

EDIT: Okay, 'water ration' not ban. But at least it doesn't sound as silly as banning hosepipes. Is it illegal to own one if it is banned?