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 !!!

How would you police that?

Like if I'm allowed to use a hosepipe to water plants, who is watching to see if I didn't accidentally slip and the water ended up in the paddling pool?

As is you using more water than you pay for to keep your grass green.

You do realise you can be legally enforced to have a water meter in certain circumstances, including high usage

Private rent is always available.

Until this day occurs, sprinklers and fountains will be on.

The Water Police. I'm sure there are plenty of busybodies in this thread who would gladly volunteer their time.

Of course if you're on a water meter, you've a natural incentive to save water.

Yep, I would love to do that. I would take great pleasure catching people selfishly misusing a communal finite resource. To be honest I am most angered about the environmental impact of all of this. I would be highly motivated

Back at Christmas 2020 when i pointed out Boris and Chums wouldnt be adhering to the Covid rules (and i got proved right a year later) i got called all sorts of names on here

It would be quite easy to see who is infringing the rules, anyone with a green lawn that isn’t an artificial lawn

its perfectly possible to have naturally wet ground. I used to have grass at the front of my house that was always green. I block paved my small area of grass over but the wide bed that is left is full of huge shrubs that never need watering. My neighbour opposite has the same green lawn and huge shrubs which never need watering but houses on either side of us have got lawns that dry out. In the past, I have actually checked for mains or drains leaks and there are none.

You can water a lawn with a watering can, particularly if it isn't huge.

We did it last year when our hosepipe broke.

A luscious garden isn't a sign of non -compliance, just of someone who enjoys gardening enough to put the work in.

The ban is specifically on hosepipes connected to mains water, not on using water in your garden.

Yes, to those who can afford it. Not many can without the input of UC to top up, so in many cases there’s very little difference between that and social housing.

You wouldn’t leave Tesco with only half your shopping after you’ve paid for it, would you? What’s the difference when it comes to water?

I don’t think this argument stands up. If you’re not on a water meter, you’re not actually paying on the basis of what you use anyway, but a standard charge, and if you do have a water meter, regardless of the state of the services, you’re still only paying for what you use.

When one has a fulfilling life, filled with joy and meaningful hobbies, observing the water usage of another provides no source of enjoyment.

Presumably able bodied people can fill a paddling pool with buckets, it's the disabled persons kids who wouldn't get a paddling pool without a hosepipe.

Watering cans exist.
Sustainable drainage systems do exist.

Will you volunteer your time and efforts to enforce the banning of hosepipes?

Observing the water usage wouldn't give me the joy. Catching selfish people recklessly misuse water would. Like I said, I would be highly motivated for environmental reasons. I don't care if that makes me sad in your eyes. I know I have a great and fulfilling life so I couldn't care less.

You would if the store was on fire. The water reservoirs are getting low either go with a little bit of rationing now or perhaps getting water from a stand pipe in the road with a bucket later, or perhaps they could put up the price in a drought as water becomes more scarce and you can have as much as you are willing to pay for?

It doesn't sound great or fulfilling.

Well, it's time you started volunteering then, isn't it?

You can you just can't use a hose to do it.

You’d be much better off spending your time lobbying the government and harmful, unethical water companies that are destroying the environment and lining the pockets of their shareholders. Leave your neighbours alone. Focus your anger on the right person and don’t fall for propaganda.

Those who proclaim their love for the environment are usually the worst offenders 🤣

Use less water, but we'll charge you more regardless!

Nonsensical sheep.

If you’ve got a neighbour like OPs then I wouldn’t risk it because they’ll likely report you