Hosepipe ban

[Anotherdayanotherdisappointment]

Every summer hatwave growing up (80s/90s) we had hosepipe bans. Not heard about bans in recent years. Has our water inferstructure changed so hosepipe bans are no longer needed? Or is there another reason?

So to phrase as an AIBU...

AIBU to think hosepipe bans are no longer necessary?

Oh I know not to water it during the hottest parts of the day as it will just burn. 😁

We are a family of disabled people and as such as pay a standard rate for our water due to my sons incontinence issues requiring a higher water usage so we don’t pay more for using more. My son (aged 10 with learning disabilities etc) really loves the garden and the flowers etc so we try and keep it alive when it’s scorching. He’s got a flower bed of sunflowers he’s growing and he’s very worried about them dying!

Is watering my vegetable patch ok with the Water Police? You know, where we grow food.... normally use the hosepipe but could fill the watering can instead if it makes people feel better.

(And selfishly... do younger DDs flowers at the same time which shes been tending to diligently for months)

I was wondering this as I was watering the garden.
We chlorinate our paddling pool so we haven’t had ti change it since it first went up

I’ve never watered the lawn but I don’t cut it too short which possibly helps

3 billion litres lost daily to leaks in water companies infrastructure, but sure, telling people to not use the water they pay for how the want to use it, all the while making massive profits and not using nearly enough to try and fix THEIR leaks, they can spin on it.

I think the water companies need to sort out the infrastructure, the number of leaks is ridiculous.

But nobody needs to use a hosepipe or a sprinkler - yes your grass with turn brown or yellow but as soon as it rains it will recover. You can use a watering can for pots. I do get judgey when I see sprinklers on lawns!

you can use grey water

We use bath / shower water to water mature plants (taps for seedlings) and grass.
and because of this one change we have managed to bring our bill down to Iver half of what it was. Saving us a fortune and so we haven't really noticed the increase in electricity bill.

Obviously don't use Bath bombs or anything but a bit of soap and shampoo diluted with loads of bath water is fine.

I measured howrah I water my vegetables. Easily 120litres every day or 2 in this weather.

We are looking at more water butt's but they are quite expensive. perhaps for Christmas I'll ask for a water butt

To add to insects woes, their larvae are desiccating (like coconut) due to the plants they are “stuck” on dying.
so I’ve gone from not being a waterer to now chucking some over the weedy areas to make sure that doesn’t happen.

what a way to go, drying out.

trying to do the right things very complicated!!

Have you looked at your water boards website? You may be able to get one either free or for a reduced rate.

i got mine in wilko … although they dried up months ago

You use and waste less using a watering can.

I haven't but I will thank you!
I have one in there garden with a lid and that doesn't dry up as quickly as the others.

You don’t NEED to water your grass. In summer water should be preserved for agriculture and household use.

Water levels are dropping each year so watering a garden is wasteful. Use a water butt or divert used water from the shower and washing machine

We've had text from Severn Trent requesting no sprinkler or hose pipe use

Bluenameblue, we found 2 of our water butts on FB marketplace for a tenner each, might be worth a look.

PuttingDownRoots, the older gardeners on our allotments and in the neighbourhood are ingenious when it comes to finding ways to water their gardens - most of their systems would make Heath Robinson inventions look streamlined! We use water from the water butts and grey water on the garden, and have it really well mulched. Luckily not needed to use water out of the tap so far this year.

I agree that the water companies definitely need to up their game regarding leaks, but individuals can do their bit. There's no point in nurturing your children's lovely plants if we end up with stand pipes and water rationing.

I've done one last water of the garden in the early hours this morning, predicting a ban or request to stop using the hose in the next day or 2.

Aldi had water butts at a really good price recently, might be worth checking their website.

The infrastructure has been significantly improved since the 80s making the need for hosepipe bans much less needed.

Our water company sent text messages our yesterday asking people not to use hosepipes and to conserve water. Not an outright ban but close enough.

I've recently moved house and my lawn is brand new turf, if I don't water it it won't survive and then the whole footprint of it being grown and laid goes to waste. On balance I think I'm doing the right thing in watering it.

So quite a mixture of replies then! Makes sense that the infrastructure has improved over the years. I'm with SES so maybe they just haven't announced a ban yet.

We dont water the lawn, but we do use the hosepipe for watering the plants.

I would use the same amount in a watering can but I dont have the strength to lift or carry a full can so I have to use the hosepipe.

We all need a system that recycles grey shower and bath water outside for garden watering.

Fresh clean water flushing toilets seem mental to me.
there’s got to be a better way of filling them as well

I'm another one desperately trying to keep my freshly laid turf alive but feeling very guilty at the same time. It is struggling despite me watering/having the sprinklers on