Hosepipe ban not in force until next week. Kids Pool, wwyd?

[MrsWidgerysLodger]

As per the title really, we're in Yorkshire and our hosepipe ban doesn't kick in until end August. DD has been asking to have the pool out but I'm on the fence about it given all the press about water shortages etc. So Munsnetters, WWYD? Do I put the pool up for the weekend or say no?

Say no.

We’d dearly love to have ours up too (also Yorkshire) but having driven past a reservoir recently, I know it would be irresponsible.

Also in Yorkshire. Don't understand why they are waiting until 26th. Technically you are allowed to put it up still.

This might sound mad but use bath water or buckets in the shower to collect water maybe?

I'm in a different area with a possible ban coming in but don't know when.

We filled ours last night, and warned the kids that it's the last time this summer.

Legally = go for it
Morally = !!!

how big is the pool? Smallish paddling pool I would fill up and then really make an effort to keep clean. One of those huge garden pools everyone seems to have this year, no.

Just fill it
use buckets if it makes you feel better

See I'm wondering about doing this as a sort of "last hurrah" before the ban comes in.... Don't know if it's completely irresponsible though.

Yes, you do know. Of course it’s irresponsible. The question is only “do you care you’re being irresponsible?”

We’ve had ours up since end May and only filled it with water once. Get some chlorine and look after it by cleaning it out each day and you’ll only need to fill it once - not a waste of water then.

I think when there's an imminent ban it's bad form to start filling pools, but obviously no-one can stop you. So I guess it's how much you care about neighbours judging you.

How does using buckets make a difference?! (unless you mean buckets of 'grey' water)

The quantity of water needed to fill the pool will be the same regardless of whether it's filled with a hosepipe or buckets!

We don't have a ban and nor has one been announced, but I've told my children no. We need to be morally conscious and I think children will need to get used to that. This is likely to happen more and more frequently during their lives and teaching them now is for the best imo.

I wouldn't, I think it would be selfish to do it knowing the situation

I wouldn't. I've never seen river levels as low as they are at the moment, and we're at the point in the lunar cycle when tides are at their highest. High tide yesterday was much lower than a normal high tide.

I'm in the SE and I realise Yorkshire is a lot wetter than here, but I think not wasting water is the responsible thing to do at the moment.

I'm filling ours at the moment however I don't live in an area with a ban coming up. It's the first time we've had it out this year. I've been taking DD to the local splash pads however I also have a 6 month old and its far too hot to take him out.

You don’t have a ban yet, so I’d do it.

I filled ours the other day. We don't live in an area with a hosepipe ban or with any water issues. Grass is green everywhere and lakes etc. are fine.

I'd do it in a heart beat. It's a drop in the ocean compared to the huge amount of water that is just plain wasted by people or is lost in leaks. We shouldn't need to be 'morally conscious' we get plenty of rain in this country. If there's not enough because we are building more and more houses without building any more reservoirs then the government/water companies need to sort that out - and they won't if they can just get away with telling people not to use it.

Our hosepipe ban comes in to force today and earlier this week I received an email from the water company for this area.

The guidance specifically states that the ban is on hosepipes and sprinkler systems. It goes in to say, in the faq section, that you can use buckets or watering cans to fill paddling pools, wash cars, water plants etc. Seems ridiculous, but there you go, that’s the rules.

We're hardly building any new houses - hence the housing crisis. Very odd thing to complain about wrt a hosepipe ban.

I know that but if there is a hospipe ban you are allowed to fill buckets

I have a 'garden' which is totally flowers and veg in pots. I will continue to water them but will use a watering can. I'll use exactly the same amount of water though. The alternative is to let everything die, which I won't do. A hosepipe ban just means that people will use different containers.
As for a pool, I would fill up a small paddling pool with a bucket. Children need to have fun in this weather ( just be sure they have sun cream and sun hats on, and I would avoid between midday and 3 o'clock).

I'm filling mine up now.

Kids are roasting. Have no money to do anything else, down to last tenner in bank, too hot to go park.
So pool in the shade. Don't feel bad at all.

I'll use the water to water the plants too.

We're hardly building any new houses - hence the housing crisis. Very odd thing to complain about wrt a hosepipe ban.

Its a really good point actually. There’s been a huge amount of building going on in this area, there has been for a few years. I can think of 5 new estates off the top of my head that have appeared recently, all within a few miles of each other.