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 !!!

It uses the same amount of water so it's a pointless endeavour.

Or just use a hose to fill it with the same amount of water. This thread is MN judginess at its finest

I mean, I’m disabled and exempt from hosepipe ban but wouldn’t use one to fill a paddling pool for my grandchildren or for sprinkler type toys.

We would be fine to use a hosepipe but honestly OP, just because you can it doesn’t mean you should.

Most people can't go swimming everyday. It would cost over £50.00 per week to do that where I live.

Most people can go swimming sometimes though, mine can't go at all.

You'll care when they put the standpipes in the street for you to collect your water from.

What do you think hosepipe bans are for, fun ?

It’s not about being judgey it’s about offering a solution. There’s a ban in place and if someone was to report that poster it would cost her £1000… is it worth it? When it can be avoided by using a bucket

You can fill a paddling pool with buckets & watering cans of water. You do not need a hosepipe.

They just want to stop people using sprinklers on lawns or using a hosepipe for cleaning their cars, or pressure-washing their driveways. Stuff like that. Things which are completely unnecessary and waste water.

Maybe the disabled person can't get their kids to a splash park or swimming pool for any number of reasons? And can't fill a pool manually

Can't drive, no public transport, physically incapable of accompanying them in the water, can't lift/carry buckets of water to paddling pool etc

“The BBC asked the four water companies whether they had ever issued fines for breaches.
Only Yorkshire Water directly answered this, saying it had never issued a single fine and would prefer not to do so, instead asking customers to "respect" the restrictions.
The company said it had received at least 100 reports of people who had continued to use hosepipes since the ban came into effect for more than five million households on 11 July.
"If we are told repeatedly about someone breaking the restrictions, the first thing we do is remind them of their obligations - that is usually enough," a spokesperson said.
"However, if they continue to use a hosepipe, we may escalate our enforcement accordingly."
The other three suppliers did not say if they had ever issued fines, but they all said enforcement would be the very final option.
Southern Water will first write to a customer who has been reported for using their hosepipe to remind them of the ban. The company said it might take enforcement action for "repeated or serious breaches".
On its website, South East Water says prosecution is "very much a last resort" and "something no company wants to have to do".
Police have told people not to contact them to report breaches of the ban, and instead to report them to their water company directly.
But Thames Water has said customers do not need to report breaches at all, adding that it "may get in touch with customers who repeatedly don't follow the rules... just to make sure they're aware of the restrictions and how to use water responsibly".
Trade body Water UK said it was not aware of anyone having ever been fined for using a hosepipe, though it did not hold data.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8rp23yxxvvo#:~:text=Fines%20are%20a%20'last%20resort,to%20%22respect%22%20the%20restrictions.

I think she’ll be ok!

Depending on the size of the paddling pool it’s possibly a similar amount of water, plus you can keep the water in a paddling pool quite for a few days (especially if you have one of those chlorine slow release dispensers) so the paddling pool might actually be a better use of water. Also depending on the house layout outside might be cooler if the paddling pool is in the shade, and it isn’t impacted by others needing to use the loo or the shower.

I do think the sprinkler toy thing is taking the piss a bit though. Unless it’s over the paddling pool and being used while it’s filling up maybe?

How low are the reservoirs where hosepipe bans are in force. I've just had a look at a few compared to last year they're very good.

Tell them to grow up and mind their own business

Fuck off neighbour, not a problem.

I know you’re allowed to use buckets but Op was using a hosepipe, hence my comment to her

Its ludicrous to say that filling a paddling pool with a hose isn’t allowed but you can fill it with exactly the same amount of water with a watering can.

They don't pay themselves millions. They pay their shareholders millions. Most of the shares in utility companies in the UK are now owned by giant overseas corporations who don't give a stuff about providing a service, they just want the largest possible return on their investment.

This is why the hosepipe ban rules are ridiculous. There are too many people stretching the rules by doing things like filling paddling pools and running around in sprinklers whereas some elderly people who aren’t technically exempt are having to lug around watering cans.

The reason the water companies have introduced the ban is because of low reservoir levels, but also because they can’t treat the water quick enough because of increased demand. We all rely on that water for basics such as drinking water and washing. Those flouting the ban or using an exemption to do non essential things are thoughtless in my opinion. I presume they’ll be the first to complain if we end up with standpipes or having to buy bottled water to drink.

Except those activities are not exempt. Even if you are on the priority register.

The main issue that seems to be constantly ignored is that hosepipe bans are in place to protect impact to the environment and to try and preserve water so it lasts for longer.

Many rivers are currently at lowest levels recorded, fish are dying, farmers are struggling to provide water to livestock.

But, yep, let's keep a sprinkler going.

For most people if you have to fill a bucket and carry it you’ll be a bit more conservative how much you’re using - maybe you don’t bother to fill it as high, you don’t accidentally leave the hose on, you think twice about dumping it out and refilling just because it got a bit grassy, you say “No I can’t be bothered” to the kids more often… So you won’t use the same amount.

Hosepipe bans reduce water usage or they wouldn’t impose them. They make it a bit more difficult to use large quantities of water and make people rethink how essential watering/car washing/window cleaning really is if they have to physically carry the water. Given demand where I live is up by a third recently they had to do something.

I dare say completely banning paddling pools etc makes for unfavourable headlines. This way you can have it if you can be bothered enough.

We have a ban where I am. I'd suggest that people who want to know the ins and outs of their local ban should check the actual website of their water supplier as they do differ.

Lack of water concerns us all

"Reservoir levels | About us | Thames Water" https://www.thameswater.co.uk/about-us/performance/reservoir-levels-and-rainfall-figures

Reservoir levelstoday look healthy here

I didn't think exemption meant you could do things like fill paddling pools and use sprinklers to be honest. Doesn't seem in the spirit. Thought it was so disabled people could keep their plants watered more easily.

Using a paddling pool is stretching it.