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 !!!

Being exempt is one thing OP, but using a hose to fill a paddling pool and use a sprinkler toy “because it’s hot” is quite another. It shouldn’t (morally) give you free rein to use water irresponsibly. The hose pipe ban is in place for a reason; you shouldn’t be using water with absolutely no consideration for the reason why.

Those who benefit for the exemption is often because of medical needs (for pools etc), or they may be elderly and unable to lift a watering can.

We’re exempt as we have livestock and an orchard. We won’t be using water without due care.

My parents are exempt as on the PSR. They won’t be using it irresponsibly either.

That said, your neighbour can just report you and you’ll have your evidence you can do what you like that will be the end of it.

Perhaps just be mindful of the ban OP, and the very important reasons why it is in place.

Does the hosepipe relate to your medical needs @HoseBan

It’s hard to imagine a medical condition which requires a paddling pool.

It's fairly trivial to work out a figure for wasted water. You add up all the metered water, plus the unmetered from historical profiles.

Once you have the volume, you convert it into a monetary value, using the suppliers £/l rate.

You then subtract it from the total water consumed by the water authority. The remaining figure is subtracted from the shareholder dividendes.

A really poor water company could end up charging it's shareholders, rather than paying them.

Really? You know this to be the law or are you making it up? Disabled people may not be able to fill a paddling pool with a watering can but anyone else can. Why shouldn’t a disabled person not be able to fill a pool for their kid? What if the kid has a disability? Should they suffer too? What a mean minded post.

Could you get a dripper watering system? We get a hosepipe ban almost every year & these are still allowed. The Hozelock ones are great.

I’m not surprised by your neighbours behaviour.

it’s so prevalent on many threads how many people are itching to report their neighbours for practically anything.

it’s easy to understand how police states exist. Folk love reporting on others.

According to Anglia Water, having an exemption does not permit you to use a hosepipe to fill a paddling pool.
https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/help-and-advice/save-water/hosepipe-restrictions/restrictions-and-exceptions

I wouldnt mind if the water companies didn’t loose 2.6 BILLION litres of water PER DAY in England alone.
Thats 46 litres of water every day for every person.
If anybody wants to fill a paddling pool I say crack on. Just hve one less bath this week.

Also maybe someone on the disability register might struggle more to take their kids out and about in the heat and paddle pool therefore a nice distraction for kids stuck at home? I think as a child of a blue badge holder the kids are probably adversely impacted in some way so I wouldn’t begrudge them a paddle pool?

Which water company do you come under?

Whilst it’s none of your neighbours business, do look up why certain people are exempt. Whilst you aren’t breaking law, filling a pool for children isn’t what is expected from those that are exempt

You are filling up paddling pool every day?

I know this thread is up amongst the batshit COVID ones six years ago. 🤣🤣

We are exempt, our ban starts from the 17th. We will not be using a hose pipe. Our garden will be watered using watering cans. If it was easier we would be using grey water but it’s too difficult. We will also only be having a shower once a day, unlike friends who have told us they are currently having 3 a day!
OP, everyone is hot, is a paddling pool and sprinkler toy totally necessary? You are kind of rubbing their noses in it a little bit.

Is there a tariff for 'going to use my hosepipe even if it's banned'?

You need to read the thread!!! You can have a paddling pool but filled with a watering can. Not a hose.

Surely most sensible people understand that the whole point is not to use the amount of water required for a paddling pool, regardless of how it gets in there.

Having plants is preferential treatment?

Yes, it’s only a small one (dc are only 4 and 6) they have been boiling and stressed after school each day and it has cooled them down and regulated their moods

All the PP's saying they're not going to use their hosepipes because there is a ban.....why do you have a hosepipe in the first place? If you can use a bucket, you don't need a hosepipe really do you?

I didnt realize there is this difference in the UK. I am used to ban that says so watering plants, no filling up paddling or swimming pools.

Read it again.

‘Customers who qualify for a Priority Services exception can continue to use a hosepipe for restricted activities where they are unable to make reasonable adjustments due to a health condition or disability.’

Our water company has asked certain areas to limit their water usage to essential use only which means drinking water, personal hygiene, cooking, medical needs and essential laundry

I agree. I don't see why just because you're exempt you should be filling a paddling pool. It's obnoxious and just rubbing people's noses in it. Just because you can definitely doesn't mean you should!