Hose pipe ban

Sandy_123

In certain parts of the UK a hose pipe ban is in place, with possibly more to come, with the lack of rain we've had in most parts. Watching the debate on the vine show,  the water companies want neighbours to report on anyone using their hose. Would you report your neighbours? 

66Mustang

What’s the punishment for violating a hose pipe ban? Is it actually put in law with a set punishment or is it just the water companies saying “please don’t use your hose pipe”?

If it’s just the latter could they cut your water off if you violate the ban and are they actually allowed to do that?

It doesn’t affect me either way, just a few questions out of curiosity.

For me I use gallons of water having a 45 minute to 1 hour long shower every day due to my severe OCD. I probably use far more water than any hosepipe. Maybe they should limit shower length to 5 minutes though that would wreak havoc on my OCD!

Sandy_123

Fines are up to a 1000 pound if caught ignoring a ban. 
They already say to reduce water, an hours shower is too long  they recommend from 5 to10 to 15 minutes. Plus the less water water you use the less water bills you pay. 
I wouldn't personally tell on anyone if they wanted to water there garden. 

Cartini

Sandy_123 said:

I wouldn't personally tell on anyone if they wanted to water there garden. 

Nor me.  Start that game with a neighbour and it`s asking for trouble.

Cartini

woodbine said:

I think they should impose a nationwide hosepipe ban ASAP

Why nationwide?  The South West isn`t suffering (at the moment), so why implement a hosepipe ban here when it`s been implemented in the South East?

Either way, it wouldn`t make any difference to me because I don`t water my lawns; I`m not fussed if they are green or parched.

SueHeath

I just think they should start building more reservoirs - if this is global warming it will be happening every year. x

bg844

Teddybear12 said:

I live in the North West and we have had lots of rain. Reporting neighbours is not something I would do.

Me too.

bg844

I will not snitch, my neighbours are lovely people and are the only people I seen (from a distance) during lockdown in their front gardens. I can’t see many on my street doing the same either.

Sandy_123

Back In  the day they use to send helicopters up to check lawns, not sure if they do any more. It's the farmers I feel sorry for Al those crops

SueHeath

I'm with you there @Sandy_123 it must be a night mare for farmers xx

Sandy_123

They've already been on tv, to say the prices may go up because of the weather and ruined crops. I know some of my flowers have burnt in the 40 degree heat we had. 

leeCal

I think they should build desalination plants, plenty of water in the seas.

Cartini

leeCal said:

I think they should build desalination plants, plenty of water in the seas.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11080931/Thames-Waters-250million-desalination-plant-designed-supply-water-400-000-homes-turned-OFF.html

Siwheels73

No helicopters now - drones are much better value. At least these bans are backed up by fines under the Water Industry Act

Sandy_123

I forgot about drones. Ironicly with out thinking  I bought a new hosepipe yesterday, my son said, so you've bought a hose pipe in a hose pipe ban . We don't have one in the Midlands yet, but I think it will be soon.

SueHeath

I'm starting to feel guilty about using my hose pipe now @Sandy_123 xx

Sandy_123

I've only watered flowers  they've not been done for days

bg844

Nothing wrong by watering your flowers Sandy, they needed doing after all and no ban is in place yet.

SueHeath

Yep that's all i have done @Sandy_123 not worried about the grass - I have watered a couple of new bushes i brought - i don't want them to die on me xxx

leeCal

I’m not using a hosepipe I’m using a watering can and to make up for it I’m seldom flushing the loo! I think overall I’m actually using less than usual. 🙂

Cartini

woodbine said:

Cartini said:

woodbine said:

I think they should impose a nationwide hosepipe ban ASAP

Why nationwide?  The South West isn`t suffering (at the moment), so why implement a hosepipe ban here when it`s been implemented in the South East?

Either way, it wouldn`t make any difference to me because I don`t water my lawns; I`m not fussed if they are green or parched.

Quite simple if you think about it, overall the country is short of water so a hosepipe ban nationwide will make sense.
I remember the long hot dry summer of '76 with standpipes in the streets, they appointed a minister for drought (Dennis Howell) the day after he took up the job its started raining.
So even on that basis alone a hosepipe ban makes sense.

I hear you woodbine, but some areas have their own water supplies.

I`ve lived in Plymouth since 78 when I joined the Navy; over those years we`ve been excempt hose bans while the rest of the country has had bans; but I think that might be changing soon.