Neighbour demanded proof of our hosepipe ban exemption

[HoseBan]

My NDN has just demanded to see proof that we are exempt from the local hose pipe ban !!!!

I have said to them I won’t be showing them anything as it’s private but they can report me if I want and the water company can check.

We literally have just been filling a small paddling pool daily for the dc for after school and today have a little sprinkler toy as it’s boiling.

I know some people aren’t aware that there are exemptions (eg being on priority services register or certain tariff) but I’m so shocked they demanded proof !!!

You register the fact . The priority service register covers power supply as well, so if there are cuts in supply they know you are vulnerable.

I’d be telling the neighbours to mind their own business. But at the same time I can understand why they would be miffed. Exemptions apply because disabled people and others prioritised have special needs. I’m having difficulty understanding why those needs would necessitate a paddling pool for their kids.

But it’s not a necessity is it ?

I’m not sure the inside of most hosepipes are that clean are they? Pretty sure they’re a well described source of legionella at least.

I have following this thread, it’s a surprisingly long list. Also states you don’t have to apply for any exemption, it’s automatically applied if you register as a priority customer which we are already.
I meant no offence to OP and agree that her neighbours have no business questioning any exemption, I’d just never heard of an exemption being an option

It’s only a small pool

I am an obsessive fact checker!

You can kid yourself as much as you want… but if you’re using a hosepipe to fill a paddling pool you’re breaking the rules.

I have to agree. These are accommodations that are made for disabled people. The problem, like everything disability related, is that if they’re abused then they’ll be withdrawn or made much harder to access, which makes things difficult for those who genuinely need them for disability purposes.

As soon as DS sat in his paddling pool there would be grass and other stuff, how do you keep it clean @HoseBan

Agree.

As I stated DS is excempt.

But we take responsibility alongside rights seriously.

He has a “right” to use a hosepipe. However he has a responsibility to also help conserve water and therefore because his personal disability doesn’t require a paddling pool (despite the fact it would be lovely in this heat!) we wouldn’t fill ours.

(we could if we chose because we aren’t in a banned area but if we were there’s no way we would take the piss just because we “can”)

But still more than the plants would get with a watering can or a spray of a hose surely?

Your neighbour needs to mind their own business.

Fill the pool and cool off!

Everyone could find ways to circumvent the rules, but if you are going to do it you can’t be surprised your NDN are pissed off. They don’t have the right to ask for proof of your exemption, and the blame for all of this mess lies with SE Water, but still, I get why your neighbours might not agree with what you’re doing.

This!!

My hosepipes are on. My fountains are on.

I'll do as I please, especially when I'm paying almost £100 per month for water.

This!

Because it’s an anonymous forum, you really can ask anything you want 👍🏻

If the turf was laid before the ban was announced, then the regulations say it is okay to water it whilst it settles and grows new roots. I think you can water it for x many weeks or something.

Otherwise the whole lot would die very quickly if you were unable to water it. And you aren't supposed to walk on new turf so can't do it with watering cans.

Why are you exempt?
Why do you think it's ok to ask?

Well at a wild guess I would think that poster is curious. Why not? It's an anonymous forum and you learn new things.
I didn't know there was a ban on for starters and secondly I didn't know people could be exempt.

Well it does sound like you’re taking the piss on your usage despite being exempt.

You’re paying £100 a month for water because you use that much, just like anyone else.

We should be using our waste as an energy source anyway. Government should create a rival company that does this and we can all leave the failing foreign owned water utility companies for it.

My property doesn't have a water meter installed.

so you might be using more than 100 quidsworth