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.