Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wasting water in a heatwave. Private schools keeping grounds green with sprinklers..

163 replies

ifonlytheydlisten · 14/08/2026 21:49

I’ve seen this twice now this week whilst everywhere else has bans or people just accepting grass will be hay and water in short supply. Opposite end of spectrum to wild wire concerns and grassland burning near us. Do they have wierd exception? Is it just me that it really winds me up as entitled? It’s made me really annoyed.

OP posts:
Papster · 14/08/2026 23:23

AndyKitten · 14/08/2026 21:59

So you are doing us all a favour by watering your lawn?

Show quote history

You’re allowed 28 days if you’re a business. Not sure re private

EweCee · 14/08/2026 23:22

ifonlytheydlisten · 14/08/2026 23:21

And when was last sewage treatment plant built I wonder. Instead even after weeks of no rain the water companies are spilling into rivers and beaches due to volumes. Seriously grim (should only happen when heavy rain)

Show quote history

Shouldn't happen at all!!

Original poster
ifonlytheydlisten · 14/08/2026 23:21

MyDandyUmberDuck · 14/08/2026 23:10

Last reservoir built in Britain was 1992. Population increase since then about 13million. Let’s address the actual issue.

And when was last sewage treatment plant built I wonder. Instead even after weeks of no rain the water companies are spilling into rivers and beaches due to volumes. Seriously grim (should only happen when heavy rain)

OP posts:
AndyKitten · 14/08/2026 23:14

5128gap · 14/08/2026 23:11

I'm sure they have. I was talking about the dodgy car washes you seem to frequent and advising you there are reputable ones which would be a better choice.
Anyway that's irrelevant to whether the school are acting responsibly in unnecessarily watering their front lawn, isn't it?

Show quote history

The dodgiest the better.

I also haggle the price down, I never pay full price.

You should try it, it’s fun.

bitontheobtuse · 14/08/2026 23:14

Purplebunnie · 14/08/2026 22:46

I did not know this. We have new trees planted a couple of months ago and have been watering them every other day, may up this to every day. Some of the water comes from a bucket we are keeping in our shower and we have receptacles for run off water wherever we can.

Show quote history

Check with your own water company, but ours allows it.

Magicpaintbrush · 14/08/2026 23:14

It's important to wash cars though - mine was filthy and honestly it was getting to the point where I couldn't see out of the windows properly, so it's a safety thing as much as anything else.

5128gap · 14/08/2026 23:11

AndyKitten · 14/08/2026 23:00

Every single private school I’ve ever used has provided all of that.

Show quote history

I'm sure they have. I was talking about the dodgy car washes you seem to frequent and advising you there are reputable ones which would be a better choice.
Anyway that's irrelevant to whether the school are acting responsibly in unnecessarily watering their front lawn, isn't it?

MyDandyUmberDuck · 14/08/2026 23:10

Last reservoir built in Britain was 1992. Population increase since then about 13million. Let’s address the actual issue.

Original poster
ifonlytheydlisten · 14/08/2026 23:06

@5128gap sadly true often. If a car wash / valet is less than about £20-30 you need to question the set up. Police would tell you that.
Agree that we need investment in green energy and don’t get me started on water companies but my observation was in the here & now this week. Wildfires everywhere. BBQ bans etc and wierd oasis of bright green lawn sprinkling in the middle

OP posts:
BlueMum16 · 14/08/2026 23:03

I agree OP that using wholesome drinking water to keep a lawn green is wasteful.

I would be complaining if I was using a fee paying business that choose to do this as it's wasting everyone's time and money.

If I lived in an area with a hosepipe ban I would be raging that business they were a business they felt if right to water in this way

It'll be raining again soon.

AndyKitten · 14/08/2026 23:00

5128gap · 14/08/2026 22:58

You really shouldn't use those type of businesses. They may be cheap but they're exploiting people. Always use companies that provide VAT receipts and digital payment tracking. A quick Google will tell you which ones in your local area are reputable.

Show quote history

Every single private school I’ve ever used has provided all of that.

5128gap · 14/08/2026 22:58

AndyKitten · 14/08/2026 22:45

Car wash and tax, What tax?

Minimal wage, cash in hand payments, UC.

At least the private schools pay tax.

Show quote history

You really shouldn't use those type of businesses. They may be cheap but they're exploiting people. Always use companies that provide VAT receipts and digital payment tracking. A quick Google will tell you which ones in your local area are reputable.

VaccineSticker · 14/08/2026 22:57

Complaining about the symptom while we ignore the problem. Reason we are here is because we are spouting too much CO2 in the air.
And no I’m not a Green Party voter or supporter before anyone starts having a go.

It is high time the gov heavily subsidise cleaner energy use and better insulated homes. My household has managed to do it because we are able but I appreciate not many can do so, this is where Gov subsidies come in. And guess what? it’s actually significantly cheaper all round.

2026letsgo · 14/08/2026 22:53

Wipeywipey · 14/08/2026 22:47

If you are a gardener and have an annual budget to stick to, you would certainly be fired if every plant you were paid to look after died, regardless of where you work!

So water the plants not the grass?

I quite like the hay effect. Smells like summer and saves mowing. It will all come back after a bit of rain ( all winter and spring).

Original poster
ifonlytheydlisten · 14/08/2026 22:52

Dollymylove · 14/08/2026 22:46

Would you be posting the same.if it was a state school?

Yes 100% I would. The local golf courses only seem to be watering the key bits like greens. No other businesses seem to be doing it. Pubs on same road all had yellow beer gardens. All local parks are suffering.
That’s why it stood out as odd & seemingly no need for it. As I said, maybe they have a bore hole.

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock000 · 14/08/2026 22:48

Wipeywipey · 14/08/2026 22:22

No, if the water companies had been investing the systems would be expanding with the population and properties being built. We have known for decades climate change was coming, yet they still took their profits rather than prepare.

Show quote history

No surprise there, similar situation with prison space, school places, building new homes. No forward planning.

Wipeywipey · 14/08/2026 22:47

If you are a gardener and have an annual budget to stick to, you would certainly be fired if every plant you were paid to look after died, regardless of where you work!

Purplebunnie · 14/08/2026 22:46

bitontheobtuse · 14/08/2026 22:05

Trees planted in the current planting season (ie within the last year) can be watered, so that is probably what they were doing.

Show quote history

I did not know this. We have new trees planted a couple of months ago and have been watering them every other day, may up this to every day. Some of the water comes from a bucket we are keeping in our shower and we have receptacles for run off water wherever we can.

Dollymylove · 14/08/2026 22:46

Would you be posting the same.if it was a state school?

AndyKitten · 14/08/2026 22:45

5128gap · 14/08/2026 22:43

VAT is irrelevant where the school is concerned. Their business is educating children, which will not be remotely impacted by saving water by allowing the lawn to go brown. Their income stream will remain the same, their grounds staff will be paid regardless and the public purse will continue to benefit from the associated taxes.
Unlike the car wash, the nature of who's business relies on water. No water, no income stream. No wages. No taxes.

Edited
Show quote history

Car wash and tax, What tax?

Minimal wage, cash in hand payments, UC.

At least the private schools pay tax.

MrsMoastyToasty · 14/08/2026 22:44

Bristol Water and Wessex Water don't currently have a hosepipe ban , although they are asking people to be responsible.

5128gap · 14/08/2026 22:43

AndyKitten · 14/08/2026 22:25

Don’t forget the VAT.

Show quote history

VAT is irrelevant where the school is concerned. Their business is educating children, which will not be remotely impacted by saving water by allowing the lawn to go brown. Their income stream will remain the same, their grounds staff will be paid regardless and the public purse will continue to benefit from the associated taxes.
Unlike the car wash, the nature of who's business relies on water. No water, no income stream. No wages. No taxes.

AndyKitten · 14/08/2026 22:43

Wipeywipey · 14/08/2026 22:22

No, if the water companies had been investing the systems would be expanding with the population and properties being built. We have known for decades climate change was coming, yet they still took their profits rather than prepare.

Show quote history

Yes, that is true.

It’s bigger than that though, water companies are not in charge of planning and they are all separate entities.

We need a national strategy to deal with the water crisis.

FairyBatman · 14/08/2026 22:39

It really depends on where you are. Northwest water has above average reserves.

underthehawthorntree · 14/08/2026 22:36

Annoying but to be totally honest I know an awful lot of people who are watering their gardens daily and/or watering their lawns. They seem not to care or understand that it's all coming from the same resource. My garden is completely dead and my grass is brown and crispy (admittedly because I am lazy and tight) but this selfishness isn't limited to private schools