Does the hosepipe ban apply to filling water troughs?

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

I suppose you could argue that you will be using exactly the same amount of water if you carry it in buckets, as long as you don't leave the hose running on the ground. Just depends if there are any nosey parkers likely to report you!

Mind you, they aren't even making allotments exempt this time so I will have big muscles by the end of the summer. Luckily the horses have self-filling troughs.

Is there a ban?

Starts on the 5th where we are (south).

wow!

More like than Wow I'm afraid, when you consider that the water companies are wasting enough water through leaky pipes to run about 11 million homes (apparently) and they are putting our bills up too!

Although, according to DP, the ban doesn't cover us! Which is bizarre, considering the Tendring peninsula is home to the dryest place in Britain!

I wouldn't have thought so as it's essential water. Heard on radio that the ban was aimed at people washing cars, watering gardens, filling paddling pools etc. Non-essential water use.

I'm assuming that if you don't use your hosepipe to fill the trough then your horses won't get watered, and I'm damned sure the RSPCA would have something to say about that!

I damn well hope so! Ive got six little buggers to water, and my field is more than 1/4 mile long! Id have a jeffing coronary!

No, It doesn't apply if needed for animals

What about bathing ponies?? Not really essential is it to clean them up for shows?

would say not.... might get away with filling a couple of buckets.... or get a butt to fill from a downpipe?

piece on this in the H&H this week

I looked at the 'Questions' part of the website for our local supplier (Southern Water) and they are telling people they can wash their dogs as it is animal welfare. I wouldn't have thought it was necessary to do that with a hose, you could just shove them in the bath when you've finished with it to save water surely? But anyway, they are saying it is ok to hose them so I suppose it must apply the same to horses.
Mind you it's quite funny reading through the questions as it all starts off sensible and then someone asks if colonic irrigation is ok as it uses a hose.

Oops, just saw other thread about this.
Ooh bunnies! [bublush]