Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
AndyKitten · 14/08/2026 21:59

superchick · 14/08/2026 21:57

I've very recently had new turf laid and if I let it die it will need replacing again because its not fully established yet so I am sprinkling my lawn from time to time. I'm sure my neighbours think I'm an arsehole but replacing my entire lawn a second time would be worse for the environment in the longer term so I just crack on.

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

superchick · 14/08/2026 21:57

I've very recently had new turf laid and if I let it die it will need replacing again because its not fully established yet so I am sprinkling my lawn from time to time. I'm sure my neighbours think I'm an arsehole but replacing my entire lawn a second time would be worse for the environment in the longer term so I just crack on.

WatchingTheStarsFromMyHammock · 14/08/2026 21:56

I saw this last week too. I was so astonished and really couldn't understand the point. It was very startling to see this patch of lush green grass when everywhere around it was completely yellow. I might have understood if it was a sports field, but it was just the lawn in front of the school.

The car washes I do understand. Whilst washing your car isn't essential to a car owner, the water is essential for the car wash businesses to run their business, so in that sense it seems right that it's permitted. But so think it would be pretty silly and irresponsible for someone to get their car washed. I know that probably sounds like double standards, but for me it's about the necessity aspect. It's essential for the business to provide the service, but it's not an essential service to have.

Wipeywipey · 14/08/2026 21:55

Surely you can report anyone you think isn't following the ban, especially businesses? Builders at my friend's house keep leaving her hose on all day despite her asking them to be careful (she is on a meter for another point). They don't care and are working on a dozen other houses at the same time... Personally I'd rather water went on keeping grass and plants alive than leaking onto roads and pavements because Chinese and Australian banks want profits instead of fixing pipeworks.

Summersorcherisjustsummer · 14/08/2026 21:55

I saw watering going on at a new office complex today .

We shouldn't be in such a dire water shortsge in the first place.

smallglassbottle · 14/08/2026 21:54

Think of the grass though, it'll be so happy.

Thestealer · 14/08/2026 21:54

Can't have the rich having brown grass can we now.

Duchoftheterrace · 14/08/2026 21:53

They might have a bore hole, or a reservoir of rain water. I have friends with a large property in Essex who have both.

AndyKitten · 14/08/2026 21:53

No they don’t, at least those on my local Sainsbury’s don’t.

scalt · 14/08/2026 21:52

Perhaps Boris Johnson ordered it personally, in advance of his reunion of Eton alumni, as the only forward planning he has done in his life.

Aliceisagooddog · 14/08/2026 21:52

Completely agree, what a waste.

UniquePinkSwan · 14/08/2026 21:51

AndyKitten · 14/08/2026 21:51

Car washes everywhere are doing the same.

Car washes recycle their water

AndyKitten · 14/08/2026 21:51

Car washes everywhere are doing the same.

Swipe left for the next trending thread