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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to be angry about hosepipe bans and whether people will comply?

358 replies

liquidfinch · 09/07/2026 16:57

AIBU to be so angry about the hosepipe bans and the situation we find ourselves in?!

If we keep having these heatwaves AND hosepipe bans the future is going to become utterly unbearable.

I read somewhere that it's not even about us running out of water this year! The water companies are just worried about having to supply what we need because it will impact their environmental targets (they want to reduce water use per capita).

If they don't hit these targets it could reduce their bonuses and/or they might be fined.

These bans will have enormous adverse impacts on nature and ecosystems.

If we can't water our gardens, plants and parks wildlife will suffer. Pollinators especially. I think it's appalling.

Are you ready for the hosepipe ban?

Have you taken any measures (buying water butts, filling up pools) to mitigate the impact this will have on your normal routine/enjoyment of your home/garden/life?

Most importantly: are you going to comply?

  • Cambridge Water:
Active as of July 9, and enforceable from 1am on Friday, July 17.
  • Southern Water:
Enforced starting from 1am on July 11.
  • South East Water:
Enforced starting from July 18.
OP posts:
Original poster
liquidfinch · 09/07/2026 19:38

Baital · 09/07/2026 19:04

That's pretty rare, surely? Most people will have tiles.

And even then, the rainwater can be used for all the other needs of the garden.

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Tiles and lead flashing. Extremely common.

I agree the water can be used for all the other needs ot the garden.

OP posts:
ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 09/07/2026 19:37

80smonster · 09/07/2026 19:35

That’s not the same at all. You still pay for the water even if a ban is issued.

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It’s not to do with payment but with non authorised use of water.

Of course you pay for what you use.
Fines are on top of that.

80smonster · 09/07/2026 19:35

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 09/07/2026 19:30

It’s not ridiculous.

People get prosecuted for non payment of TV licences and for taking their children out of school without authorisation.

Water is no less important.

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That’s not the same at all. You still pay for the water even if a ban is issued.

80smonster · 09/07/2026 19:34

Just water your garden with the hose. Apparently the water companies issue very few fines, they just hope for compliance. I won’t be letting my tree ferns suffer, they can clap me in irons if they want.

Original poster
liquidfinch · 09/07/2026 19:33

Snufkin88 · 09/07/2026 19:30

When you think of the way the world is going and the way some people in the world live in draught and don’t even have clean drinking water a dry garden isn’t going to kill anyone and you sound like an awful moaner to be honest .

When you think about how much water data centres use, a watered garden isn't going to kill anyone and you sound like an awful moaner to be honest.

OP posts:
Original poster
liquidfinch · 09/07/2026 19:31

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 09/07/2026 19:30

It’s not ridiculous.

People get prosecuted for non payment of TV licences and for taking their children out of school without authorisation.

Water is no less important.

Show quote history

That's also ridiculous.

OP posts:
ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 09/07/2026 19:30

liquidfinch · 09/07/2026 19:28

I believe there are have been virtually 0 prosecutions or fines issued.

With the backlog for prosecutions of more serious crimes can you imagine people getting prosecuted for using water? Ridiculous!

Show quote history

It’s not ridiculous.

People get prosecuted for non payment of TV licences and for taking their children out of school without authorisation.

Water is no less important.

Snufkin88 · 09/07/2026 19:30

When you think of the way the world is going and the way some people in the world live in draught and don’t even have clean drinking water a dry garden isn’t going to kill anyone and you sound like an awful moaner to be honest .

Original poster
liquidfinch · 09/07/2026 19:28

cratehater · 09/07/2026 19:22

They can’t police the bans. There’s literally nothing they can do. It relies on neighbours reporting each other and there being an immediate response which is unlikely!

Water companies and the government need to set it out themselves. Turning a blind eye to data centres consuming huge amounts of water.

I believe there are have been virtually 0 prosecutions or fines issued.

With the backlog for prosecutions of more serious crimes can you imagine people getting prosecuted for using water? Ridiculous!

OP posts:
Original poster
liquidfinch · 09/07/2026 19:25

JulietteHasAGun · 09/07/2026 19:18

I’m meant to run the tap for five mins every morning but have never bothered. Lived here 30 years and no sign of lead poisoning yet.

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Five minutes?!

Wonder how many properties in the UK need to do this and how much water is wasted that way (even if most don't bother).

Did you know you might be able to get grants/subsidies for changing those through an approved plumber? Check with your water company if you are interested in that although after 30 years I'm guessing maybe not

OP posts:
Pippin2017 · 09/07/2026 19:22

Probablylate21 · 09/07/2026 18:15

This just sounds rather unhygienic tbh. I’d rather use my hosepipe

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Don't be daft.

cratehater · 09/07/2026 19:22

They can’t police the bans. There’s literally nothing they can do. It relies on neighbours reporting each other and there being an immediate response which is unlikely!

Water companies and the government need to set it out themselves. Turning a blind eye to data centres consuming huge amounts of water.

CalmWriter · 09/07/2026 19:20

I will use a hosepipe regardless of any ban. Especially given my water company ignored a mains water leak on our high street for 13 days.

Fibrous · 09/07/2026 19:19

liquidfinch · 09/07/2026 18:20

Sounds lovely. However they might struggle later this year if it gets cold and rainy (I trust you will prepare for that in various ways. Good luck!!)

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They’re raised up (front garden is above street level) so the soil is free draining which is the key criteria. I also used a few species that self seed easily. No losses so far. I used a mix of salvias, nepeta, grasses (Seslaria, sporobolous, Stipa), santolina, Stachys, and then allowed teasel, foxgloves, and lychnis to self seed. Then alliums and muscari. It’s all knitted together really well. I’m moving away from having pots except really big ones.

JulietteHasAGun · 09/07/2026 19:18

liquidfinch · 09/07/2026 19:17

Oh...

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I’m meant to run the tap for five mins every morning but have never bothered. Lived here 30 years and no sign of lead poisoning yet.

Original poster
liquidfinch · 09/07/2026 19:17

JulietteHasAGun · 09/07/2026 19:15

My water pipes are lead 🫣😆. I drink the stuff never mind water the veg with it.

Edited
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Oh...

Shocked Oh No GIF
OP posts:
JulietteHasAGun · 09/07/2026 19:15

liquidfinch · 09/07/2026 18:57

Just bear in mind you need to think about what materials your roof is made of. For example if you have any lead on your roof you don't use that water for crops

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My water pipes are lead 🫣😆. I drink the stuff never mind water the veg with it.

OneNewLeader · 09/07/2026 19:14

I comply, I have 3 water butts for a small garden. I throw the washing up water onto the grass. I lived overseas where water was a precious commodity, so I use it quite sparingly. When I see people pressure washing a patio I always feel a little sad.

JulietteHasAGun · 09/07/2026 19:14

Ok, I’ve googled about the exemption for people with disabilities. You either need a blue badge or be signed up for your water company’s priority service for people with disabilities. So I’ve signed up for that and can now use a hosepipe in a ban. 👍. I do have a diagnosed condition which affects my mobility so am eligible.

canthavetoomanylights · 09/07/2026 19:07

I won’t comply unless they drastically reduce my bill to compensate.

MyLimeGuide · 09/07/2026 19:07

ByKindOpalPoet · 09/07/2026 17:39

well when this becomes routine and we have droughts all because entitled people think that rules don't apply to them and they can waste water we know who to blame then don't we

FFS stop being entitled and put the fucking hosepipe away. it won't kill you to use a watering can.

just because you think we aren't running out of water doesn't make it true, if we continue with the weather we are having then yes we fucking will run out of water and entitled selfish idiots like you will not fucking help, the reservoirs will be dry or near dry especially if we continue to have little to no rain, and this will have a knock on effect over the rest of the year. but I get it, you are entitled and think fuck it I don't give a shit about everyone else, I'm going to continue to use my hosepipe and fuck the local community and everyone else.

you do realise we have very little new reservoirs right? you do realise what happens to them when we have very little rain?

no the bans are in place to try and force selfish entitled idiots like you to stop fucking wasting water.

Can't be arsed with fucking entitled selfish idiots who will be the first to throw a tantrum when they have no water and they have to go and stand in a queue to get bottled water without acknowledging that they are part of the fucking reason that has happened

Well you clearly can be arsed cant you with your angry post!! Water is here for us to use, did you not learn about the water cycle in primary school?

Original poster
liquidfinch · 09/07/2026 19:05

Baital · 09/07/2026 18:49

Because most of us can understand that it's possible to disagree with the way water companies are structured and managed, and also accept we have a responsibility for the way we use a scarce resource.

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I disagree with the way you have framed it but either way it's 50 50 so there is no "most of us" at the moment

OP posts:
Baital · 09/07/2026 19:04

liquidfinch · 09/07/2026 18:57

Just bear in mind you need to think about what materials your roof is made of. For example if you have any lead on your roof you don't use that water for crops

Show quote history

That's pretty rare, surely? Most people will have tiles.

And even then, the rainwater can be used for all the other needs of the garden.

Original poster
liquidfinch · 09/07/2026 18:57

Meadowfinch · 09/07/2026 18:38

A basic water butt sits beside your gutter downpipe. It sends rain from your roof & gutters into the water butt until it is full and then overflows back down your downpipe into the drain.

You can buy a kit at any DIY shop or order online. You'll also need a hacksaw to cut the pipes to length and some gutter sealant. Or ask your plumber to fit it for you.

Show quote history

Just bear in mind you need to think about what materials your roof is made of. For example if you have any lead on your roof you don't use that water for crops

OP posts:
SooPanda · 09/07/2026 18:55

It’s baffling that people are talking about running out of water when our winters are so very wet. It’s just not stored or processed well enough and the money isn’t being used to replace pipes etc to meet the increasing pressure on them.
England’s just had its 8th wettest winter on record.