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?

I have been thinking about this too! I have decided to just put a little in the paddling pool as I always bucket it up afterwards and put it in watering cans to water the garden, so I don't feel it's too wasteful.

So Rishi can get his new swimming pool filled?

Filling a small paddling pool now. Will water plants with watering can if needed. That uses the same amount of water as a hosepipe so seems silly, but hey.

I’m in Yorkshire just filled ours… when hosepipe ban comes into for our pool woll be in the shed away as when the ban comes in it won’t be pool weather for us anyway :) xx

what holidaygirls said! Privatisation has done wonders for the water industry in terms of investment - it was shocking beforehand. Energy is another matter entirely however....

Wow. I didn't realise he's in Yorkshire. Heard about the pool though. Makes sense.

I'm going to continue watering my plants as I've tried to find as many bee friendly plants as possible.

I'm very jealous of the bumble bee nest!

Not entirely sure where the ‘excuses to not build more houses’ came from, anyway….. No, it’s not because there are new houses being built here that it hasn’t rained. But the demand for more water comes from the moment that the houses are occupied. Actually my earlier local plan estimate for 17,000 houses is a little short. I’ve just checked and it’s increased by a further 16,000 houses. So, 33,000 new houses no infrastructure. The local water authority here have owned a massive site, earmarked for a new reservoir, since 1970 - fifty two years! I genuinely have no idea why the plan, despite being discussed periodically, has never been realised but the last time the water authority mooted it was in 2018.
They have, due to the current situation, now formed the plan to go ahead. As someone in thread posted, it takes a long time to build a fully functional reservoir. This one won’t be finished until 2032 (assuming they really do go ahead this time after half a century of not doing so). The problem is the first 17,000 of those 33,000 will have been built by then and some of the further 16,000 too. The new reservoir will service 40,000 houses, so when it’s finally built it will only just service the extra building planned as of today in 2022. No doubt by 2032 the local plan for building will have increased exponentially and we’ll be back to square one. To suggest the two are in no way connected is incorrect. We are now in offices drought here and further, unprecedented since the 70’s, measures may be imposed - no one will care about their paddling pool of that happens. The local water authority here loses 88 million litres of water a day in leaks. Leaks reported in the local area (including one quite large and disruptive one) have gone unfixed since early July. We all need to be much more careful with water usage but the water authorities must be held to account for their jam tomorrow policies.

I love watching them come in and out and bumbling around 🐝 heart♥️

That's great news op. honestly this is so uplifting. I know its only a drop in the ocean but you combine your drop to mine and everyone else's and we have at least a small lake together.
Well done, OP. Well done x