hosepipe ban, grrr

Treebeard

My local water company, Thames Water, have announced a hosepipe ban effective from next month.

bbc news article

This, despite the fact that they lose over 1/3 of their water through leaks, and the reservoirs are 96% full.

I understand all about the low aquifer levels, but it is still galling to be told I can't water my bonsai from a hosepipe by a company that is losing so much water due to leaks.

So it looks like I'll be getting that water butt I saw at the weekend... and I'll be filling it up from the hopepipe in the middle of the night

Regards,

Chris.

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Craig Cowing

You'd better be careful--you never know when someone from the water company is monitoring forums to catch potential offenders!

We had a water ban too, last summer, because of drought conditions. We're on a well, though, and I watered in the early morning. There really isn't anyone around during the day on weekdays to look for offenders. Never had a problem, and the well never went dry.

Water is becoming a serious issue here, with all the development going on. At some point it will become a crisis.

Craig Cowing

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Joanie

When we have had drought conditions in the past, we have been encouraged to use "grey water" for the garden. Which means, essentially, bath water, shower water, even dish water. We have also been told to flush the toilets less, not wash our cars at home (commercial car washs here all recycle their water) and other water saving methods.

Our water districts have all installed seperate systems for landscape watering at places like parks and public facilities, that uses lightly treated sewage for watering. Safe enough to use, not safe enough to drink. We can tell if the water being used is from such a system because the pipes are a lovely light lavender in color. They do that as a clear reminder not to drink that water. (Although very few people bend over a sprinkler to get a drink) The landscape plants sure seem to thrive on that water.

Cities only take measures like that when the problem becomes overwhelming. Sounds like your area depends too much on the rain, so a temporary drought catches them offguard. Cities are always years behind what they should be doing.

Joanie

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Ian_Homer

Hi Chris,

Yes, I have two large water butts, full to the brim, which I much prefer to a hose anyway. I have only ever got low one summer recently when we had a very long dry spell (Now, how often is that !). Then, resort to the hose as the back-up

Unfortunately as you find, it is the age of the pipe systems we have here and the level of leaks that need urgent attention. We had two serious bursts near us recently and although the water board acted quickly, heaven knows how much water was actually lost.

So prices will be going up, bans will be put in place, all while they just pacify the public in trying to maintain profits rafther than actually invest serious money in the infrastructure.

Like all of us, I think they are praying for more Rain !!

Regards,
Ian

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wabashene

Politics and bonsai don't mix, but anyone with any sense in the UK knows the whole utility scam (water, gas, electric) is just that, and is a "crock" as our USA friends would say.

And to make it worse, all the the mega billions of profit hardly even see the UK Treasury any more as they're all owned by French and German companies who get massive subsidies and tax holidays courtesy of the UK tax payer

I'm doing my bit - I just have one shower a week every Saturday night now whether I need it or not!




TimR

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BrianBay9

Isn't the water utility in the UK owned by a foriegn company?

Brian

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Ian_Homer

Hi Brian,

There are different regions and thus many different companies.

Some are foreign owned, some remain in British hands.

Severn Trent, the region that covers me.... just admitted to "overcharging" their customers by some $4,000,000, due to a clerical error!!!

Comforting to know we are in safe hands

Regards,
Ian.

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wabashene

Can you see this happening in the USA? Hard to imagine what next!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/articl...2081279,00.html

To get back to bonsai................................

does my tree look too small in this?



TimR

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Joanie

So of course you will be receiving a nice check in the mail soon, right?

Right. Thought so.

Joanie

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