Confused about hosepipe ban

[MurielTheActor]

What exactly, in terms of water use, is the difference between hosing filthy dogs down in the garden or having to do it inside in the bath (which presumably wouldn't qualify me for a fine)?

I think it is very easy to find loopholes and inconsistencies in the regulations if you want to find them, but the message remains: There is a water shortage, please cut down on your use

I don't think that is too hard to comprehend, and don't forget that the last time there was a hosepipe ban, noone was actually prosecuted

I use the shower on my dog in the bath iyswim.

Sorry posted too soon, got distracted by paying my water bill

We don't have an hose pipe ban, although I take your point complexnumber, but I wonder what the difference between that and using an hose pipe would be.

I have set up a system to use grey water from the kids baths to water the veg patch. But the sticking point is it uses a hose

I think the hosepipe would use more water than the shower.

According to Anglia Water :

Hose Pipe Ban Exemptions: (taken from their website)

Any activities that are necessary to remove or minimise any risk to the health and safety of people.

Also applies to removing or minimising any risk to animal health and safety, and to the prevention/control/spread of animal disease. For example Schmallenburg that is a serious threat to new-born lambs in some area, and Dikerogammarus villosus (commonly known as killer shrimp) currently causing significant damage to wildlife in a number rivers and reservoirs across the east of England.

So, if my dog comes home covered in decomposing hedgehog, or fox-shit again, I will have no qualms about hosing him down.

Here you go, taken from a BBC news report:

Tips for saving water

Use dishwashers and washing machines only when they are full

Use bathwater and washing-up water to wash the car and the garden

Save the cold water that comes through before a tap runs hot, and use it to water plants

Keep a jug of water in the fridge instead of waiting for the tap to run cold

Turn off the taps when you're brushing your teeth or shaving

Install a water-saving device in the toilet

Grow your grass a little longer. It will stay greener than a close-mown lawn and need less watering

There is a Q and A session running on the Thames Water website at the moment. They have stated that you can fill a paddling pool with a bucket, but not with a hose pipe. You can use a hose to wash an animal (or yourself!). You can also use a hose connected to a water butt pump, provided the water butt is not filled from the mains using a hose.

Can I use a hose to fill up my horses water buckets in the field. It would be nigh on impossible to carry water that far on a daily basis? With a hose it only needs filling every three days. Or do I let my horses go thirsty?

Also applies to removing or minimising any risk to animal health and safety,

from the Anglian water site, so I think animal care is safe

ugh I remember when I had to carry (across many fields, usually populated with stallions and colts) every drop they drunk - mud too thick to wheel a barrow through

it really made me appreciate taps and hosepipes (we have automatic waterers now, phew)

drunk? drank?

Those of you who hose your dogs, are they big dogs? Mine is a toy poodle and would probably blast over the fence if I set the hose on him!

I haven't had any official notice from Anglia Water that there is a hosepipe ban. How can they set a ban, have legal powers to enforce it, without writing to let me know one is on? They wrote twice recently first to say they'd be flushing our pipes this week and then again to say they wouldn't flush due to the water shortage (but nothing about anything else I should do about the water shortage).

We use 33 litres/person/day, and I am banned (I think) from using pressure washer on muddy bikes. Annoying!

D0oinmecleanin A 'National Grid' system for water (as happens with electricity) has been discussed by various governemnts since way back in the olden days of the 70's It has not been built due to cost... a few billion I believe to set up nationally.

african export not sure about Africa but many countries have de-salination plants. We don't.
hth.

Another question here - filling a paddling pool is clearly prohibited, whether it be using a hosepipe or buckets. Is it restricted to just direct from mains? I'd be happy to fill a paddling pool from my children's bath, then empty it onto my flower beds - getting 3 uses (or more - as I bath two at once) out of 1 shallow bath fill. (And how on earth do I prove I've used grey water for it?)

how come Essex&Suffolk water don't have a ban, and it is the same area?

Some water companies seem to allow paddling pools to be filled with buckets ... Sutton water does, spending lots of summer days with family down there!!

On South Today they said that you cant clean patio or decking with a hose unless it is a safety issue. I cant see how the water companies can inforce the 1,000 pound fines as there are so many loop holes.

Bottom line is that everyone must make an effort to save water.