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?

Most of the country is in drought and people are actually asking whether they should use water to fill pools up.

For fuck sake.

So instead of filling up the pool, we fill up 2 large Tupperware tubs to splash in, in the garden
This way we're not using anywhere near the water we would in the pool and the kids keep cool

People need to get past this idea that water is somehow an unlimited resource.

If there is not enough water then eventually it starts being a bit annoying that you can't water your plants to water literally being rationed so that people have enough to, y'know live.

Gonna be honest, I don't think those 5 new estates are the reason for the hosepipe bans happening in totally different areas of the country.

I know that. But the OP's question was a moral one, not a legal one.

She is, as it stands, still allowed to use a hosepipe to fill the pool. The question was whether she should.

Seeing as filling with buckets vs hosepipe will use the same amount of water. The morals of it don't change according to the method of filling! Her question really is 'should I use x gallons of water when there's a shortage?'

if you can leave it out, leave it out.

What I do is freeze tupperware filled with water and play with the ice. You can freeze little toys in there and give them a spoon each to crack them out.
Or fill a small bucket with toys for play that way.
I know its not a paddling pool but the kids enjoy it just as much and it would ease your guilt.

if it makes you feel any better, I spend quote a bit of time bringing buckets outside from the bathtub to use 'used' water on my fruit and veg. So there are some people going above and beyond to try to counter the massive pool fillers.

Fill it then use the water over the next 3-4 weeks to water the garden

That probably depends on where you live tbh. 17,000 houses in the local plan here. Not one new GP, school or increased hospital capacity and absolutely no change to the water supply and/or sewage. The latter of which is under so much pressure that there are regular (legal 🙄) sewage dumps in to the local coastal areas.

I would not hesitate. Me and my kids absolutely love our pool! Full it up now and get the chemicals and lid and other bits then you won't need to empty it again.

this is because most people will fill a small paddling pool with buckets and might not get to the top or won't bother. nobody would be able to fill the massive ones up with buckets.

but those people would use the hose anyway so

We have a tiny little 4ft wide round pool for our two under 5s, we’re going to use that rather than the bigger one.

If you have a pool with chlorine or anything in it please ensure nothing can drink from it. The wildlife is really struggling and may well drink from it and become unwell.

Can I just remind people that if you can to try and leave something with clean water in outside for the birds etc as often as possible. That is absolutely not a waste of water. Try and put somewhere out of direct sunlight if possible.

Ds is autistic and the paddling pool is his best sensory thing at the moment. As it is now we only empty it every 2-3 weeks (keeping it covered and Milton work) and it’s only a small paddling pool with a little bit of water. but if a ban comes in then he will just have to get on with what he has in there for as long as it stays clean enough to use!

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

you use a lot less though when you have to carry it. I can wash the windows and mirrors on my car with one bucket of water. The rest of the car stays dirty but I can see!

Times like this I’m glad we have our dreaded MN “sex pond” it’s nice and cool for the DC to cool off in and no need to refill as kept clean with chlorine

I'm all for robust infrastructure, but new houses are not the reason for the hosepipe ban. We do not need to make up more reasons to prolong the housing crisis.

I filled ours in June and it’s chlorinated so I’ve not had to change it. I’d probably only fill a splash type pool now, to cool down, rather than a deep one like the Bestway 6-8ft ones that we have.

I would fill it up, but I’m struggling with the hosepipe van context … in my part of Yorkshire it has rained every day since the last heat wave until this week, and from Sunday is forecast to rain every day for the foreseeable. I won’t need to use my hosepipe in two weeks when the ban starts as it’s forecast to be raining… although I’ve not been to the local reservoir for a few weeks (as it’s either been too hot or too wet to walk the dog there!) so maybe it’s worse than I’m imagining. I did wonder if it was about preserving water for transporting…

If it truly mattered, surely they’d have brought the ban in sooner?!

Omg just do it!
It's bloody hot and your kids are only young once!
And "morally" right?!
Morally right is whether or not you'd shag a married man, not whether or not you fill the pool!!!

You are fully aware it would be an arsehole move.

this

oo can you say "blinkered attitude"?

I would do it and say that's the last time

Im in south and filling ours up tomorrow. We will then use the water for the veg once ban is in place. Its for a playdate and dd is an only child, she's feeling quite lonely atm and we had to cancel the last two playdates due to her being ill.

no but its stupid to keep building house in areas where the infrastructure is already under pressure....and I agree that this means doing big stuff like changing the popular locations for industry and employment generally