Hosepipe bans and paddling pools

[libbyssister]

So if I fill our paddling pool up with old bath water and a couple of warm buckets from the kitchen sink is that gonna be flouting the ban?

Can't imagine a summer where I don't have the paddling pool out for 3 DSs . Wouldn't use the hosepipe on the sly as have one quite nosy neighbour...

But if you technically don't fill the paddling pool from the hose but use buckets from indoors is it still going to get me a fine?

Buckets are fine :)

This really pisses me off. My childhood was spent in the paddling pool in the garden. My kids have barely used their paddling pool due to hosepipe bans.

The water companies need to address the leaks that they all have but ignore as it is too costly to fix. They need to have a greater Amy in new developments being built in the south east as we are just too overcrowded and clearly the utilities can't cope.

Will I get a refund for using less water? Like hell I will. Just more profit for the water companies.

I may find myself having lots of early morning baths .... Then I could reuse that water for the paddling pool ....

Oh my life. At the first glimpse of sun the other day I was being asked for the paddling pool (needless to say I didn't oblige.) Hadn't even thought about the summer months and the ban. I think i shall start saving the water now!!!

It's going to be one of those list childhood pleasures!

Mind you, paddling pools were very shallow back in my 70's childhood! Little 3 ring blue up things which just took 6 buckets to fill. Not like today's big monstrosities!

The thing I don't understand is why we can't build more reservoirs. I did read this morning in BBC News (I think) that a proposal in the SE was recently turned down because of planning issues.

Who objects to building reservoirs!?!?! Unless they want one in the middle of a city!?!?! We need the water and they are usually very picturesque. I know Scotland is full of water but pumping it down from Scotland to the SE sounds ridiculous.

During previous hosepipe bans we have still been allowed to fill up swimming pools in this area - Southern water

how are hosepipe bans enforced i wonder?

We have got a paddling pool and no hosepipe - you can fill them without, it just takes time, and round our way most people are on a meter anyway.

Heard on the radio today that the fine for using a hosepipe during a ban has never been dished out, people have just received warnings. TBH the snide remarks from my neighbour would be enough for me not to bother. But he will prob assume I'd filled the paddling pool up with the hose even if didn't...

A reservoir planned for my local area got turned down - it was supposed to be 5 miles down the road. And now they're banning hosepipe use instead

I was talking with friends about this earlier today. In our area apparently a fine of up to 1,000 pounds for using a hosepipe. The ban comes into affect in our area at beginning of April so going to fill the hot tub up and get that up and running on the 30th March

Last time we had the hosepipe ban, I'm sure you were allowed to fill up paddling pools by hose. You just weren't able to leave them unattended. I'm fairly sure I'm not just imagining this

I know we couldn't use the waterslide in the garden though

Don't think that is right Pesto, hosepipe ban is a hosepipe ban full stop. I read an article in the news online a few days ago about 7 water companies in the SE and it definitely said no hosepipes at all, you will have to fill up with a bucket.

MOS I'm sure pesto is right (if you see my above post). It wasn't this year though, maybe a couple of years ago? I remember because my dad was able to top his swimming pool up

well maybe it varies depending on water company but definitely in our area the ban comes in on 2nd April and that is a complete ban on hosepipes, no exemption for filing up paddling pools. Probably best if people check with whichever water company they are with.

I lied, it is the 5th April, not the 2nd www.hosepipeban.org.uk/2012/03/12/hosepipe-bans-due-on-april-5th/

Seems a bit crap to fill up a paddling pool with buckets during a hosepipe ban.
It's a waste of water. We should be trying to save water.

Paddling pools aren't just about recreation though, they are indirectly educating kids..... Seeing what sinks and swims, engaging in physical activity etc. I am surprised there is not more of an uprising about this. I am not on a meter and can't be as there is a shared water supply but will pay the same water bill regardless of hosepipe ban or not.

I live in the NW, so it doesn't affect me, but what if you don't bath the DC and get the pool out instead, you must use about the same amount of water.

You could water the plants with it, as well.

I'm off to buy a few buckets .....

I guess it's up to the general public to decide how far they want to push it.

One point to bear in mind is that the water level this year is lower than in 1976 Independent. That was the year that they stopped people using all domestic water, and instead people had to go and draw water from stand pipes in the street and share baths.

If the public can be sensible and listen to the warnings, rather than just thinking they are out to spoil our fun, we might avoid it.

surely with a drought order you would still be able to water using water from the water butt and grey water?

(mind you,if it stays this dry my 3 water butts are not going to last very long if they dont get refilled)

I remember last year we were still allowed to fill pools and i would then use that for my veggie patch too. I'm going to be so buggered this year. I have a large vegetable patch which is goign to be a nightmare to water with watering cans. Watering vegetables is for FOOD, it should be allowed!