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 !!!

Well no, unless they have a water meter they will be paying the old ‘water rates’ which, depending area, can far exceed what you pay for on a meter.

I suspect if they were that bothered they’d get a meter installed. So yes, probably using more than that, what with all the hosing and entitlement.

I think you're taking the piss a bit to say you have to fill a paddling pool with clean water each day. Why can't you just use the bath?

Not that I would have even noticed let alone asked you about it.

Everyone piling on about "essential" use of hosepipes and policing what people do sounds like how we acted during all those Covid restrictions by the end (can only have alcohol with meal in a pub etc). It's a paddling pool in a heatwave 🙄

You may be right - I didn’t think anyone was on rates these days, and also thought that water companies pushed us all onto meters because rates were well below usage.

Woah im having a sense of deja vu .................oh hang on Its a Covid flashback

It’s a paddling pool in an area with a hosepipe ban and where a few weeks ago people were queuing for water for weeks on end.

As I said above, the blame lies with the crappy water company (we have had plenty of rain so far this year) but it’s not surprising that people who have recently queued for drinking water think a paddling pool is an excess.

When the water companies manage water, Stop the leaks, and Stop all the pollution and everything else, then fine, I’ll stop filling up paddling pool. Kids can use a paddling pool when its so hot.

Then you’re probably get a good deal with your fountains and hosepipes. (Surely fountains recycle water? And hosepipes are only banned in one area at the moment I think).

I am a mad gardener and I saved over 60% off my bill when i went to a meter.

I think that’s a fair point, however the water company that’s banned hosepipes for OP doesn’t manage waste water - more importantly - overuse at this stage means other restrictions become more likely and will affect the neighbour more than OP.

Mine definitely became cheaper too.

It depends if the child is disabled or not. Some children with intellectual disability have trouble with temperature regulation or knowing when they are overheating, or water is a big part of being able to self regulate.

If we get a ban in my area I will be filling a toddler pool for my SID child and then will water the plants with it after, which I would do anyway with a watering can. It's probably better that I'm making two uses of it anyway. I could just give my child a bath instead, (probably with the same amount of water) if I wanted to avoid arsey neighbours, but I wouldn't be able to water my plants with what was left.

Some people are so selfish. The point of the exemption is not to allow paddling pools and sprinkler toys FFS.

And the people saying you can fill a paddling pool with a bucket are just thick or deliberately trying to be selfish too.

The whole point is that we conserve water so that we don't run out.

YABVU

NO WORDS! you’re an out and out piss taker filling a paddling pool if you’re subject to a ban.

if you’re precious little one is hot, they can have a shallow bath.

unbelievable you think your exemption means you can have a paddling pool.

Are they washing their feet before they get in?
Are they getting showered before they get in?
If not there will be bacteria unless you've got chlorine tablets and given you've said it's only little then i would doubt it
I've never heard of an exemption

I’m also exempt but the exemption doesn’t mean use water for whatever you want! It’s to enable disabled people to water their plants without constantly needing a watering can! It is NOT to fill paddling pools for fuck’s sake! What do you think the ban is for?!?!

For everyone else, apparently.

Your Being extremely selfish, just because you can does not mean you should.
The ban is to try to conserve water for everyone but you believe a sprinkler system and padding pool are essential for your child . You sound very entitled no wonder disability gets such bad press.

Everyone is allowed to fill paddling pools, just not with a hose 🤷

Disability exemption is because of the physical labour required to fill with buckets.

The exemption isn’t for a paddling pool- your neighbour has no right to ask to see an exemption, but you are wrong in using it this way- and trying to justify it but saying you’re then using the water in the flowers is juts trying to find a work around. Whilst I appreciate you have medically complex children, it doesn’t entitle them to a daily paddling pool

@JohnnieFedora
But why does op need a sprinkler too .

This is incorrect.

Soontobe60 checked OP's water supplier's rules and it explicitly says that the hose pipe ban exemption does not extend to "filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool". OP does not seem to care though.

https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/help-and-advice/save-water/hosepipe-restrictions/restrictions-and-exceptions

It literally says "You must not use a hosepipe to fill or top up domestic swimming pools, paddling pools or hot tubs."
And "You can still use water for:

• Filling or topping up a pool using a bucket or other handheld container."

Which means you CAN fill it by other means... So it is true anyone can use a bucket or similar.

And the exception also states
"You can still use a hosepipe if:

You're registered on our Priority Services Register and unable to make reasonable adjustments because of a health condition or disability. If you think you're eligible, you can register for Priority Services."

So yes ,OP can fill her paddling pool using a hiss if she's part of the priority services....

🤷 maybe because she's exempt from the ban?