Would you report somebody for using a hosepipe during a ban?

[BurntBroccoli]

Lots of people on FB saying they will continue using as much water as they please as they have “paid for it”.

Reservoir levels are at 55% capacity when normally it’s 89% and with much more hot weather to come, I’m worried that they will implement standpipes due to people being irresponsible.

You’ve completely missed the point and I realise the water companies are shit and don’t fix leaks. We are in a drought (and a pretty severe one at that) so continuing usage of water as normal will lead to even lower levels in the reservoir.

If we don’t get much rain, what do you think will happen?

I never understood - is it ok to water the lawn but with a watering can?

I’m thinking of doing this. In fact all new homes should have this set up as planning policy (as well as solar as standard which could run an aircon unit).

Yes agree.

Okay that’s fine but it certainly isn’t here!
Driest Spring and summer for 132 years.

How are you going to tell if it’s unnecessary hosepipe use. You know you can still water food items for instance but not flowers. So if I’m watering herbs are you going to report me or not? How about nasturtiums?

What about now though? This summer? Crops are stunted and animals have no grass to eat?

No I wouldn’t.

I can’t have a water meter. I’d like one, very much. But despite that I am very frugal with water as a respected commodity.

we came from a metered house where our use as a family was £17 a month. Now without the meter, which I can’t have, I am being charged £80 a month.

so if I need a hosepipe, well, I think I’ve probably paid for that use? I’m still using no more water than I did at the old house, lifestyle is the same, but it’s okay to have £63 a month more be charged?

I think it will rain.

The meter is fitted under the kitchen sink attached to the mains so I presume it could be done in individual accommodation. My daughter has a meter and lives in a flat.

Nope! And I will continue to water my pots & raised beds until they stop pumping raw sewage into our rivers & sea!

No. I really can’t imagine reporting someone for this.

No, probs would not report anyone. I used mine to swill out the tinned tomato residue out of the reycling bin inner this evening and then turned it briefly onto me. Total moments used less than 2 mins 🤣

Not bothering with the garden though, it's just arid

Its v silly that if you're a business you can waste as much water as you like by sprinkling grass and paths indiscriminately (golf courses, for example). But if you want to water your newly-planted garden border, just enough to keep the (well mulched) plants alive carefully and frugally when the sun has set then you are Bad.

Except this year! It has actually rained less this year than in 1976 when standpipes were installed in some areas. It’s the very dry Spring that is the issue.

Rainfall in 2025 (to July 9)
• 242.8 mm of rainfall across Yorkshire & North‑East England up to 9 July — less than half the ~542 mm recorded by this date in 2024 .
• This is the lowest 2025 total on record since data began in 1931 — beating 1959’s 238.1 mm and even the 1976 drought year (285.1 mm) .
• There have been 47 days of zero rainfall, and 87 days with under 0.1 mm recorded — a record high for the region .

Spring Dryness & Drought
• Feb–Apr 2025 had just 78 mm of rain at Sheffield Weston Park station — lowest since 1938 .
• April alone saw only 13%–33% of average rainfall across Yorkshire catchments — marking the third-driest January–April since 1871 .
• By mid-May, it was the third driest Jan–May period since 1871 ().
• The Environment Agency declared drought on 12 June following the driest spring in 132 years, with reservoir levels falling to ~62% (seasonal average ~85%)

Yes it most definitely will but it might not be enough and prolonged. It’s been a drier year since 1976 (when standpipes were ordered).

and apparently the second wettest winter on record.

I've just given the front garden a good water before the ban kicks in. I've hardly watered it so far this year though and my water use has been less than usual.

Whilst I see your point I also think some of these restrictions are grossly unfair. The area I live had a hosepipe ban for over 1year in 2022/23 however the holiday park at the top of the village could empty and refill their 50 hot tubs every few days between visitors and carry on as normal. Our neighbours are elderly and were so frightened to use the hosepipe in case someone reported them (some locals were reported) that their driveway became slippy by the winter and one had a fall which resulted in hospitalisation. They were unaware of the excemptions. 😪

💯 This… we are on the priority list due to DS disability, so we are not exempt…. What makes me laugh is they say to use your bath water, but then in the next breath tell you to have showers 🤷🏼‍♀️
they tell us to save the bees, currently in my garden we have 100’s of wild flowers which get visited by hundreds of bees. We are using our water butts currently.. they’ll run out soon…

I might, but report to whom?

No. Not in my nature to be a snitch. Also, there will be so many people doing it secretly, there’s no point.

Someone wrongly using a hose pipe during a ban is the least of societies' worries, so no. I probably wouldn't even notice anyway, I have a life.

Ah thanks I didn’t know about the new reservoir.

It’s generally unnecessary things like jet washing patios for hours and hours, sprinklers on all day for grass (who cares!) and incessant car washing that I’m the most annoyed about.

I’m not sure people believe that in 1976 in some areas they actually did turn water supplies off and install standpipes.

I

Yes. I know people who regularly, every night, water the lawn via sprinklers.