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Posted by: Penelope Mar 12 2012, 05:28 PM

With a ban on hosepipes on the way, how will effect you?

Posted by: Jayjay Mar 12 2012, 05:36 PM

Having been on a water meter for four years, I couldn't afford to use a hosepipe.

Posted by: Strafin Mar 12 2012, 05:49 PM

It won't. I live in a flat and a hose wouldn't stretch down to the car.

Posted by: Strafin Mar 12 2012, 05:54 PM

If my electricity supplier annoys me, I can switch who supplies it without changing any equipment or the infrastructure. I don't know how that works but I wonder if it could be done with water?

Posted by: blackdog Mar 12 2012, 06:24 PM

The electricity suppliers all use the same infrastructure - paying rental to whoever owns the bits they use to get their electricity to you. And they all buy electricity from generating companies to supply to you. In effect they are just the middle men doing sod all apart from collecting a profit from your payments. Of course most also generate electricity and/or manage the infrastructure in particular areas.

To allow the various water companies to do the same they would have to build a national grid for water (a lot more difficult to move around than electricity). Of course, if they did have such a grid Thames could just buy in more water from Scottish Water and we wouldn't need a hosepipe ban.

Posted by: Biker1 Mar 12 2012, 07:17 PM

I should imagine my water bill will fall??!!

Posted by: xjay1337 Mar 12 2012, 07:33 PM

It will ruin my life.
That's how I clean my car.

Clearly the water shortage isn't that desperate, or it would have a water ban now rather than in 2 months.
What makes me laugh is you can still use as much water as you like, just not from a hosepipe...but you can use a hosepipe to fill a bucket up. Which makes no sense.

To be honest I will still probably use it. I only use it to rinse my car before and after washing. And the water which I don't use clearly goes back into the drainage system where it is recycled and used to grow ethnic peace flowers.

I imagine people in Africa, or Uganda, or Taiwan, crying.... when you ask them why? "Some people in England can not water their daffodils."

Posted by: On the edge Mar 12 2012, 10:07 PM

A water grid isn't quite as difficult as it sounds - in fact we have the makings of one called the canal network. There is no real reason why the water market shouldn't be competitive, but like making meters compulsory to choke demand, the vested interests in the water companies aren't going to let it happen. Big money to be made owning and controlling a monopoly utility - ask any foreign pension fund.

Posted by: Turin Machine Mar 12 2012, 10:17 PM

How am I going to wash my car, patio etc ? I forsee a drought order on its way soon. watch this space.

Posted by: Bloggo Mar 13 2012, 09:01 AM

Back in December I raised the topic of a pending water shortage and suggested that it would be unwise to continue with the current levels of immigration given that this vital resource was coming under pressure and consideration should be give to ensuring that those who all ready live in Great Britain were adequately supplied.
Well it looks like the situation has gotten worse and we face hosepipe bans.

Wouldn't it be more sensible to curb immigration and further massive house building projects and establish a robust and reliable water delivery system to cope with what we presently have before we reach a critical position?

Posted by: Biker1 Mar 13 2012, 09:34 AM

Wait 'till I go on holiday.
Plenty of rain then!!

Posted by: Andy Capp Mar 13 2012, 09:41 AM

The problem seems regional (too many people in one area), rather than national, but I do agree that it's odd that we want to do so much but it seems we don't have enough water; Sandleford for instance!

Posted by: Bloggo Mar 13 2012, 11:33 AM

Whether or not there are more people living in one are of the UK than another may exacerbate the problem but what has not being addressed in the past, or now for that matter, is the fundmental fact that more rain falls in the north of the country which is not being transferred south in some way where it can be used. Couple that with the successive governments not financing the building of additional resevoirs in the south or constructing salination plants and behold there are hosepipe bans.
This is a classic case of "lets ignore it cause it may rain tomorrow"

Posted by: JeffG Mar 13 2012, 11:36 AM

I imagine the car cleaning people in Sainsbury's car park will be rubbing their hands with glee as (presumably) the car wash will be turned off.

Posted by: xjay1337 Mar 13 2012, 11:40 AM

Anyone who lets the Sainsburys car wash people wash their car needs their heads testing...swirl mark city!! Oh for a fiver?!? Do it yourself lazy gits.

Although yes a lot of money will be made from this no doubt. But sainsburys car wash will still work because it uses recycled rainwater

Posted by: JeffG Mar 13 2012, 11:47 AM

But if there was enough rainwater, there wouldn't need to be a hosepipe ban...

And no, I don't use the car wash people, mainly because the car wash is cheaper.

Posted by: Biker1 Mar 13 2012, 01:03 PM

Posted by: Biker1 Mar 13 2012, 01:03 PM

Affect!

Posted by: royston Mar 13 2012, 01:33 PM

Posted by: JeffG Mar 13 2012, 04:04 PM

Careful, or you'll be called a grammar nazi by the anti-spelling mafia!

Posted by: xjay1337 Mar 13 2012, 04:11 PM

No doubt they will shoot you with a high pressured water jet.

Posted by: Andy Capp Mar 13 2012, 05:36 PM

Anti-misspelling

Posted by: JeffG Mar 13 2012, 08:50 PM

No - I meant what I wrote.

Posted by: Vodabury Mar 13 2012, 08:54 PM

Not much I guess on a domestic level. What will be a much bigger issue are power shortages, which are likely to happen unless we get a sensible and coherent long-term energy production strategy. Just as we cannot make it rain to fill the reservoirs, we cannot make the wind blow to turn the wind turbines.

Posted by: Cognosco Mar 13 2012, 08:59 PM

Take a bit longer to water the garden - using the watering can!

Posted by: xjay1337 Mar 13 2012, 09:11 PM

Yeah but that's effort. Where as you can use a hosepipe and especially if you have a detached house, no-one will be any the wiser.

Posted by: Vodabury Mar 13 2012, 09:19 PM

If fining people for hosepipe use can become "an earner", then I would not put it past the authorities to start using satellite/plane/drone surveillance!

Posted by: user23 Mar 13 2012, 09:34 PM

How much can they fine you?

Posted by: Cognosco Mar 13 2012, 09:39 PM

Just a thought if you are not on a water meter will you be entitled to a rebate from the water company for not being able to use an hosepipe?

There are people who usually find ways of overcoming bans etc. Just like the two weekly general refuse collection, loads of people apparently are just putting the normal refuse in the green bins and it is still being collected no problem.

Posted by: Vodabury Mar 13 2012, 09:39 PM

The newspapers say up to £1000

Posted by: Cognosco Mar 13 2012, 09:47 PM

Who gets the fine money? Not the water company I hope as that would encourage them to incur more drought conditions surely?

Posted by: Vodabury Mar 13 2012, 09:53 PM

Perhaps WBC could tender for the enforcement and collection! Anyone caught with a green garden this summer could be fined by a non-green meanie.

Posted by: Dodgys smarter brother. Mar 13 2012, 10:06 PM

You might like to listen to today's Jeremy Vine show on the BBC iplayer.(approx 12 mins in) Spokesperson for the Water Companies (Water U.K.) stating that they could find no evidence that ANYONE has EVER been fined for using a hosepipe during a ban.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01d5qgd

Posted by: Vodabury Mar 13 2012, 10:33 PM

Yes, thanks, I heard it in the car this afternoon. We will see what happens this summer...

Imagine a scenario. It is now August and continued dry weather is now causing acute water shortages in SE England. There is much criticism of the water companies in the media, shareholders are uneasy, bonuses are threatened and the government is under pressure to take firm action. A tabloid runs a story of a family sticking two fingers up to the hosepipe ban. I could see a prosecution coming in such circumstances.

Posted by: blackdog Mar 13 2012, 11:58 PM

A selfish few will continue to use hosepipes on the assumption that they won't get fined. Simple solution - fine people for having green lawns or clean cars.

It's really about whether you think that hosing down you car are keeping your lawn neatly green is more important than having water coming out of your taps. If it comes to it it wouldn't be the first time that a drought resulted in the water supply being restricted to standpipes in the street (no doubt xj will attach a hose to the standpipe to wash his car ).

Posted by: Squelchy Mar 14 2012, 09:18 AM

Far too many 'what if's' here.

You might like to consider why there hasn't been a prosecution so far. One water company even hired a helicopter to see who had green lawns, but still no prosecutions. If you listen to that clip a bit more (and you said you have) then you'll realise exactly the problem.

Posted by: Vodabury Mar 14 2012, 09:32 AM

I don't know whether or not there will be any hosepipe-ban prosecutions this coming summer. If you are saying you think there won't be any, then fine. But, sometimes things do change - we'll have to wait and see.

Posted by: Blake Mar 14 2012, 09:33 AM

The focus of this question is wrong. I'd suggest looking at the source of this shortage.

The staggering ineptitude that is Thames Water has an awful lot to answer for. That disaster of a company loses HUGE amounts of water through its leaky pipe network. Have you seen how little leakage has been reduced by in the last five years? This firm needs a **** good fine to put its own house in order before attacking its consumers. All this talk of draconian bans and yet the firm still has the audacity to increase its prices.

Someone needs to take punitive measures to the real villain of the piece.

Posted by: Brewmaster Mar 14 2012, 11:14 AM

Oh dear, I wish I hadn't bought a bright yellow hose!

Posted by: Brewmaster Mar 14 2012, 11:24 AM

Good sense, as we have come to expect from you, Blackdog.

I never water the lawn (the bloody thing grows fast enough without it!) and rarely clean the car. Does it go any faster, run more economically, or rust less quickly if it is dirty? A bucketful of soapy water and a sponge, with another bucketful for rinsing, should be enough for any reasonable person.

We have taken to syphoning the bathwater into water butts for watering the garden, but we have a very large one and we grow lots of vegetables, so I reserve the right to use the hosepipe judiciously rather than see plants producing food die.

But, in view of my previous post, I shall have to do it at night!

Posted by: xjay1337 Mar 14 2012, 11:27 AM

I agree with Blake. (7)

Great idea.

Thing is though, we are nowhere near the stage of having no drinking water. The reservoirs and rivers if you bother to look are not noticeably lower than they are normally, I can attest to this because I regularly go swimming in them.

I have heard stories on another forum I use, of people who work within the industry, commissioned to pump water out of reservoirs into places which they don't know...they just get pumped out and these people don't know where it's going...so it's only correct to surmise that there are some sort of "secret" storage for water... Read into that as you will conspiracy theorists...although there was a funny way in which those reservoirs went down..
rumour is they pump water into secret underground reservoirs so they can say "oh my god look at this we are empty!!"...

Makes me laugh, people are going about this like we're in Africa and we have little no water, let alone which is drinkable... "why are you crying mate, is it because you have no food, no home, no family?"
-it is none of those things... some people in england cannot use their hosepipes to water their daffodils.

I will maintain my cars shine and frankly if there is a water shortage I would rather have a clean car and drink a fizzy beverage, than drink frankly a room temperature, tasteless drink But that's just my personal choice. What's next, banning the bathtub?

As a bill payer I have free choice of how I use my water. Simply having a clean car or a green garden does not mean you are using a hosepipe...have these people not heard of a bucket? I know many bargain buckets..get my drift?

But yes I will probably use my hosepipe still. I couldn't care much to be honest - because as has been said, I pay my bills regardless of whether I'm allowed to use a hosepipe or not; no hosepipe should mean a reduction in my bills, but alas they go up and up..if we were actually in a drought then that might be different...
Although taking of clean cars

What about these people who make a living cleaning cars, whether you are Thomaszh from Uzbekistan at the local garage forecourt or a professional detailer.. (these detailers can charge up to £1000s to perform paintwork correct) - what about there industries?

Posted by: Bloggo Mar 14 2012, 01:46 PM

I wish you hadn't told us that.

Posted by: Andy Capp Mar 14 2012, 02:16 PM

Leptospirosis can't be too far away!

Posted by: Bloggo Mar 14 2012, 02:18 PM

I think it is in the easten part of Greece

Posted by: gel Mar 14 2012, 09:34 PM

I see in local rag how Benyon endorses the hosepipe ban.

Perhaps he could endorse the following sensible measures, some of which were promised
by Camerloon at election time:

Stamp down on immigration- much talk, but no evidence of any real reductions;
we're full up, and struggle to provide resources eg Schools/ NHS etc/ we have a bankrupt economy.

Stamp down on unnecessary New Housing and the subsequent unsustainable demand on UK scarce resources, including of course H2O.

Support the institution of marriage, leading to less break ups, and the need for more housing, taking more scarce resources.

Drop the Human Rights Act (ECHR) we're signed up to unilaterally; no way will he ever gain agreement to this from many of other signatories.
He knew full well that it had no chance of happening, so it was another PR stunt, which is of course of his trade.
Illegals/ convicted foreign criminals/ could then be returned to their homelands, and use resources for UK residents/ save bucket loads of £., make us feel safer in our homes.

Posted by: user23 Mar 14 2012, 09:37 PM

Blimey, straight from a hosepipe ban to a far right rant.

The Immigrants are taking all our water sentiment could be straight out of the Daily Mail.

Posted by: Biker1 Mar 14 2012, 10:31 PM

But correct in saying that there are too many people for the infrastructure to support?

Posted by: Squelchy Mar 14 2012, 10:33 PM

http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2010/04/britain-population-immigration

Posted by: Penelope Mar 14 2012, 10:38 PM

Support

Posted by: xjay1337 Mar 14 2012, 10:38 PM

Lol at all the daily mail readers.
Good find me old Squelcher.

Posted by: Biker1 Mar 14 2012, 10:43 PM

But possibly, just possibly, the New Statesman could be wrong too?

Anyone who thinks population growth is a good thing should perhaps sit and think.

Posted by: xjay1337 Mar 14 2012, 10:48 PM

It's not a good thing - So I agree. Let's ban having more than 1.6 children, remove all sort of safety equipment on the roads and allow natural selection to take its course.

In no time we will all be perfect people mitt a few children still in ze household.

Posted by: Penelope Mar 14 2012, 11:37 PM

Abolish child benefit, that will reduce the incentive for them to breed.

Posted by: Amelie Mar 14 2012, 11:57 PM

What was it Thomas Babington Macaulay, said? "Bigotry will always find a reason".

Posted by: xjay1337 Mar 15 2012, 12:01 AM

Hear here.
(I can never remember which one it is)

Like that thread about the family who were on like £358 a week or something. All of them benefit scroungers...
I reckon apply a cap to the amount of time you can claim an UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT...be reasonable...eg 2 years.

If you can't find a job after 2 years, your eldest child is taken infront of your house and shot while you watch. If another another 6 months you do not find work, the next children shall be victim to being hit with a wrecking ball (personally I would find this very intriguing to watch).
Until eventually either the person goes back to work or they kill themselves.
Either way you reduce the weight on the benefit system and also on the NHS.

Watch at least one person take me deadly seriously on the points above.

Posted by: Biker1 Mar 15 2012, 08:36 AM

If we don't do it ourselves voluntarily then nature will do it for us.
It already does in some countries.

Posted by: Penelope Mar 15 2012, 09:34 AM

Much better idea than mine !!

Posted by: Roost Mar 15 2012, 03:26 PM

what Was it Frank Sinatra said? "Doo be Doo be Doo....".

Posted by: Vodabury Mar 15 2012, 05:10 PM

Another factor causing a water supply problem is the selling-off of small reservoirs for development.

When I was a kid, we had a local reservoir - looking on Google Earth today, it is now a Tesco Extra!

Posted by: xjay1337 Mar 15 2012, 05:13 PM

They say every little helps.

Posted by: Vodabury Mar 15 2012, 06:47 PM

It certainly seems to help profits! When my kids are home, within 30 minutes of going out anywhere my daughter has to buy a bottle of water - otherwise she will become dehydrated (and it will be my fault if she does).

Posted by: RustySpade Mar 22 2012, 12:55 PM

We are hosting a Garden Show and Dog Show just after the hosepipe ban comes in - with exhibitors needing to water their plants and a huge plunge pool for the dogs we are thrown into a bit of disarray regarding how to get water now

Posted by: Nothing Much Mar 22 2012, 01:17 PM

Are you near a river at all? This is where the wartime spirit kicks in.

And I think the "Titchfield Thunderbolt" movie holds the answer.
Masses of people with buckets could fill a plunge pool.
It would be fun for children. Dogs too.
If you are not near a river. Ignore the post,but have a good day.
ce

Posted by: xjay1337 Mar 22 2012, 01:51 PM

Simple solution.
Use a hosepipe for the pool. Watering can for the Japanese Peace Lily's.

Posted by: blackdog Mar 22 2012, 02:09 PM

Perhaps the dogs could do without a plunge pool on this occasion?

Posted by: Nothing Much Mar 22 2012, 02:10 PM

Never quite got the hang of the problem..... Were the dogs going to be chucked into the pool?
Anyway I think you solved the problem. xjay .Ban \Dogs and children. (People too).Ignore the ban
Aux barricades, viva la revolution.
ce....
ps(wee on the plants after dark).

Posted by: xjay1337 Mar 22 2012, 02:12 PM

lol ce you make me laugh sometimes, wee on the plants...!

First you stop the dogs having a good time, what's next, Dog Seatbelts, is that pleasure to go as well?

Posted by: Nothing Much Mar 22 2012, 02:18 PM

lol ce you make me laugh sometimes, wee on the plants...! laugh.gif

Normal for Norfolk xjay.
Not good form in other places.
ce

Posted by: Nothing Much Mar 22 2012, 02:44 PM

There was a plan sometime in the 1950s to fill the valley to the eastern side of Burghclere as a reservoir.
Piddling in a reservoir is not my cup of T xjay!

Posted by: xjay1337 Mar 22 2012, 02:49 PM

I assume you read the story where an American guy peed in a large reservoir and they DRAINED IT. So 5million plus litres of water, watered down with 300ml of urine. The guy could have weed AIDS out and it would have been completely safe!
In the UK at least I think all of the reservoirs are covered? Those being the actual drinking water ones.

Who am I to say. More reserviors are needed though. Less building hoses for Yugoslavians, more water.

Posted by: Nothing Much Mar 22 2012, 05:49 PM

No problems xjay. As once mentioned I went to the wrong school(near Telford).
So I tend to be silly.Despite being quite ancient. I do have some anecdotes.
ce

Posted by: Vodabury Apr 4 2012, 11:23 AM

Looks like things might change?

Richard Aylard from Thames Water was interviewed on the radio this morning. He stated that although there were no prosecutions during the last hosepipe ban, households that were identified using hosepipes were sent warning letters. He was quite clear that this time round, if warnings are ignored, then they will seek to prosecute.

Perhaps prosecutions will be a last resort, as such actions may encourage renewed criticism as to the level of leakage in the infrastructure!

Posted by: Berkshirelad Apr 5 2012, 09:53 AM

No, of course not. And there are no 'drinking water' ones.

Reservoirs are huge lakes for the most part; it would be impossible to cover them.

Water is drawn from the reservoir; purified and put into the water main.

Posted by: blackdog Apr 5 2012, 10:38 AM

Reservoirs account for very little of the water supply in the area under the hosepipe ban - most of the water comes from aquifers - which can, I guess, be viewed as underground/covered reservoirs.

What confuses me about the ban is that they gave notice of it - if water levels are worringly low now, they must have been so a month ago, so why not start the ban then and save a bit more water?

Posted by: betsy Apr 5 2012, 12:16 PM

Just walked down to Thatcham Library this morning and saw a workman cleaning the tennis courts with a pressure washer. He had a hose coming from the hall filling up a wheelie bin. The water from the bin was then tfrd to his pressure washer via another hose using a compressor. Seems a complicated business. I assume he was beating the ban by filling up the bin with water and not connecting the washer striaght to the hose?

Posted by: Darren Apr 5 2012, 07:46 PM

Wow. 25 years+ on an still myths keep popping up.

Posted by: Vodabury Apr 6 2012, 09:39 AM

Interesting. If he was using a hose from a tap to supply a pressure washer, albeit "via an interruption", I don't see how this gets round the ban. Under the Act now in force it prohibits a hose to be used for cleaning artificial outdoor surfaces. However, "business customers" who clean paths and patios as part of a service, are exempt.

Posted by: NORTHENDER Apr 6 2012, 09:49 AM

Can anyone define "short hosepipe" for me please?

http://www.farminmypocket.co.uk/featured/the-hosepipe-ban

Posted by: Darren Apr 6 2012, 01:16 PM

I now await the photos of Thames Water having the windows at their Vastern Road HQ washed...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/4899286.stm

Posted by: jaycakes Apr 6 2012, 01:25 PM

I had to wash my car today.
Without a hosepipe. It took me much more effort, because I have to throw buckets of water over the car to rinse it first, then use another bucket to actually wash with my trusty mitt and autoglym stuff, and then another 3 or 4 buckets thrown over the car to rinse the suds off.

Now I do not count exact amounts of water but I'm pretty sure it would be not a considerable amount of extra water by using a hosepipe. Perhaps 10% extra, but in most cases I believe probably uses the same or less.

Now something like 35% of water is wasted by Thames Water due to leaks? Or whatever number it is.
If they didn't leak it all away I wouldn't not be allowed to use my hosepipe responsibly. And yet water rates for the reduction of water use remains the same or in many cases, is going up!!

Now tell me where that is fair.

Posted by: Exhausted Apr 6 2012, 03:33 PM

I live close to a river. Can I, with my own pump, suck water from the river and fill up my water tank and then with my pump, pump the water from my tank over my garden.

Posted by: NWNREADER Apr 6 2012, 03:37 PM

I think you can as long as not commercial and not more than 200(?) gallons a day. It may be the river has to be adjacent to your property.....
Same if you have a well (or dig one) I believe....

Posted by: Simon Kirby Apr 6 2012, 03:45 PM

In terms of the hose pipe ban as I understand it the ban is on the use of a hosepipe for carrying water, it doesn't matter whos water or where it comes from, so you can't use a hose to take water from a river, nor can you use a hose to water the garden with used bath water. Actually it depends on what exactly the hosepipe ban says because the water companies have considerable latitude to say what is and isn't allowed.

On the river part of the question I thought you had to have an abstraction license to take water from a river even if you were the riparian owner, though I may be wrong. I'm pretty sure NWNR is right about taking water from a well if it's less than a certain (fairly large) limit, but I haven't come accross that for rivers.

Posted by: Simon Kirby Apr 6 2012, 03:50 PM

Sorry, ignore all that, as I read it http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/15443.htm applies only to their potable (tap) water, so I don't think there's a problem using the hose with river or well water (though I guess bath water is still covered by the ban unless you bathe in a river or well).

Posted by: Simon Kirby Apr 6 2012, 03:59 PM

It looks like it's 4,000 gallons a day before you need a license. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/water/32032.aspx. Of course if you're not the riparian owner then taking water without permission is probably going to be stealing.

Posted by: Vodabury Apr 6 2012, 04:04 PM

I am sure you are right, but I can remember reports in years gone by of people setting up a garden sprinkler and leaving it on whilst they went away overnight. That needs to be prevented - yellow lawns quickly recover once the rain returns. But perhaps with more and more households on water meters, that is less likley to happen these days.

Posted by: Simon Kirby Apr 6 2012, 07:00 PM

I did away with the traditional lawn in the front garden. It seemed like a radical thing to do at the time, but we have a tree and shrub border and sizable pond with planting round it, and I absolutely love it.

Posted by: jaycakes Apr 6 2012, 10:19 PM

Yes that's very stupid and these people should be shot.

Also Simon I thought you could use a hosepipe to dispense water collected from a water butt for example? I would.
And eff da po-leece if they came to throw me in da slammer.

Posted by: NORTHENDER Apr 7 2012, 09:54 AM

Why I asked about the length of a piece of hosepipe to fill a watering can is:- some time
during the last hose pipe ban someone was caught with the hosepipe in the watering can
and the guy was just letting it run out the spout to water his plants. If I remember right
he won the day in court. All he did was save time going back and forth to the hosepipe to
fill the can which was allowed then and is now.

Posted by: Vodabury Apr 7 2012, 10:54 AM

I think this may have been a story about the gardener at No 10 Downing Street? I believe there is now a supplement to the Act that defines "using a hosepipe" to include using a hosepipe as any part of a watering activity.

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 7 2012, 11:27 AM

You can only use a hose if it is for genuine health and safety reasons and you can prove that it is not practical to use any other method. It has got to be straight from the tap.

http://www.hosepipeban.org.uk/2012/03/26/thames-water-hosepipe-ban-restrictions-2012/

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 7 2012, 12:09 PM

So it sounds as if I can pump with a hosepipe from my well.

But as folk know after a couple of flagons of cider the plants get well watered.
Ask Bob Flowerdew. He used "waste" water to get compost fruity on TV years ago.

The water is good ...I tried it on a cat who enjoyed the cool natural taste.
Well there is an advert for you.I am sure someone has thought of that already though.
Perhaps I should bottle it and blackmarket it when the real droughts hit..

Still we planted things that could survive as we were not there all the time.
So I guess we thought of drought friendly planting many years ago in Norfolk.
The soil is rubbish anyway mostly fire cinders over 150 years. Water just runs off.
ce

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 7 2012, 12:12 PM

It worked... my first attempt at a .jpeg.

Watching the history of "Queen" last night. (Not my cup of Horlicks really)
"There is no stopping me now". What japes to be had.
ce

Posted by: NWNREADER Apr 7 2012, 01:24 PM

A fine programme... You go up in my estimation

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 7 2012, 02:16 PM

Thanks NWN. I have to say it was a time of austerity,
and children,and mortgages. I had to give up something.

It was an interesting programme. and I hope they didn't miss my
dropping out of music buying for a bit.
ce

Posted by: NWNREADER Apr 8 2012, 08:27 AM

Poor Mr Benyon - it seems he has been 'got at' by journos...
According to The Telegraph today a journo and photographer found a hose running at his property....
He says they turned it on

Posted by: Vodabury Apr 8 2012, 08:31 AM

It is stated he has called in Plod to investigate.

Original story:
http://www.people.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2012/04/08/millionaire-tory-minister-responsible-for-the-water-ban-faces-embarrassment-after-the-people-discover-hosepipe-on-his-grounds-102039-23817573/

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 8 2012, 08:41 AM

Defra last night issued a statement over our revelation about the hosepipe at Englefield. An official said: “Mr Benyon has reported to Thames Valley Police an incident of trespass on his property on the afternoon of the 6 April and the police are investigating.”

But a spokesman for the force said: “We were notified about an incident but the caller did not require our attendance and there’s no further police involvement.”

http://www.people.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2012/04/08/millionaire-tory-minister-responsible-for-the-water-ban-faces-embarrassment-after-the-people-discover-hosepipe-on-his-grounds-102039-23817573/

Posted by: Brewmaster Apr 8 2012, 09:20 AM

I think you are wrong. The regulations apply to a hosepipe connected to a tap dispensing the water company's mains supply. Using a hosepipe to syphon water out of a domestic bath is surely OK. There is no restriction on how much water you can put in your bath, nor how many times you can use it. Any method of transferring that bath water onto the garden, whether by hose or bucket, is perfectly legitimate.

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 8 2012, 09:30 AM

I think Simon is right. You must not use a hosepipe to dispense water that Thames Water has processed. 'Potable' means water treated to drinkable standards.

Thames Water Utilities Limited gives notice to all of its customers, that the potable* water it supplies throughout its entire area must not be used for the following purposes:

* Water treated to drinkable standards.

http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/15443.htm

Posted by: NWNREADER Apr 8 2012, 09:45 AM

I wonder why the reporter went to the house? Unusual, surely, without an appointment?

They left the hose running 2 hours while the photographer attended (The People too hard up to provide cameras on the mobile phone?) but make an issue of someone taking 35mins to get there from the estate...

No allegation the hose being on was anything to do with Mr B, or was at a building he had control over.

I'm not convinced, nor impressed by the methodology. Failing to convince with the truth(?) is not healthy.....

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 8 2012, 10:07 AM

I agree, but perhaps the grounds men should have wound the hose up and put it away.

Posted by: NWNREADER Apr 8 2012, 10:23 AM

Whoever it was that turned it on and for whatever reason........

Posted by: Darren Apr 8 2012, 02:09 PM

If it looks like a trud*
Feels like a trud
And smells like a trud

It pretty safe to assume it is a trud.

Me thinks a set up. Way too many coincidences there!


*rearrange the letters.

Posted by: Brewmaster Apr 8 2012, 02:13 PM

I still disagree. After the water has been used in a bath it is hardly of drinkable standard! In any case, all water coming into domestic premises is treated to potable standards anyway. After it has been used for any purpose it is waste water and can be moved around by means of a hosepipe. It no longer complies with Thames Water's specification. Common sense, really.

I shall certainly continue to drain the bath onto the garden or into outside containers, and if prosecuted I shall take the case to the International Court of Justice!

Posted by: jaycakes Apr 8 2012, 02:52 PM

Gluck with that.

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 8 2012, 03:18 PM

The Benyon story perhaps needs a bit more padding before he is burnt at the stake in Smithfield.

I can tell you sucking out bathwater via a hosepipe is bloody hard work using the traditional method to drain tanks of petrol.
AND you end up with a mouthfull of you wifes leg shavings..... (not to mention the fact that - Oh forget it!)
ce

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 8 2012, 03:28 PM

In any decent brasserie in Paris there is a dungeon like affair in the basement.
The last one I ventured into I couldn't find the light, so as a gentleman I used the hand basin.

The ones I could see all had signs above the taps "Eau Non Potable". So where does that water come from?
And who invented the word in the first place, Romans ,French or us. What is wrong with "drinking water or mains tap water"

Too poncy for me . Why confuse the likes of moi with "Potable".
ce

Posted by: Vodabury Apr 8 2012, 03:41 PM

Quite!...and seemingly before bothering to report it!

Posted by: jaycakes Apr 9 2012, 03:58 AM

You have had a previous experience there ce?
I hate hair in the bathroom.
I can shave my face and the other associated bits you would shave and leave no mess at all in the bath, I clear everything up. Another chap comes in and it's all icky ewughefgrhghrgbhrgbrh

Posted by: NWNREADER Apr 9 2012, 08:36 AM

You live with the wrong gender.....

Posted by: Vodabury Apr 9 2012, 10:31 AM

Some people had been placing bets at Ladbrokes that an MP would be caught flouting the hosepipe ban. It was 5/1 that an MP (or a member of their staff) would be caught. Spooky.

Posted by: Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera Apr 9 2012, 10:46 AM

Has Richard Benyon MP & the Minister for Water had a 'Clinton! moment when he stated "Neither I, nor my family, nor anyone who works for me turned that hose on”?

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 9 2012, 11:07 AM

You didn't previously say that you would 'use' the water first.

Posted by: NWNREADER Apr 9 2012, 12:42 PM

Since the water is not covered by the ban, but (he says) he has instructed it will be complied with as if it were, this affair really is a splash in the pan.

Is 'The People' an organ of truth and honour (if any are, these days)?

'Sod the truth, let's have a good story' is alive and well, I fear.

Posted by: Jayjay Apr 9 2012, 01:24 PM

I assumed Englefield was covered by the ban as Reading, Newbury and Pangbourne are. If Englefield is indeed in an area that has ample water, then there is indeed no story.

Posted by: NWNREADER Apr 9 2012, 01:27 PM

The estate has it's own borehole. Mr B is quoted in the Telegraph, however, commenting (as the water comes from the same source) he had instructed no hosepipes to be used.

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 9 2012, 01:56 PM

A last cog has rumbled in my pathetic attempt for a brain.

Some weeks ago I walked past a sign over a small multi use craft area sponsored by Benyon estates.
I looked up the area and it covers much of where I had walked to a garden centre. In Islington.

I have just twigged Englefield Road is named after Englefield House. I avoid it because of humps.
The family seems to still own acres of 'my home town '. (Thanks Bruce)
That which was not demolished by a ruthless labour council in the 60/70s
I am not jealous at all......well only a bit.
ce

Posted by: jaycakes Apr 9 2012, 02:19 PM

There's a woman who lives here too and she leaves hair all over the bath. That's just as disgusting.

Posted by: Exhausted Apr 9 2012, 02:25 PM

I just hope that if the reporters started the Benyon Watergate they get screwed to the ground. I know the newspapers need to sell their papers but this really is scraping the barrel. Do we really believe that the Englefield estate would leave a hose running even when there are no water restrictions. People who work in that environment are professionals either estate or house servants unless one of them had a grudge and turned on the hose and then for a couple of bob rang the People.
Anyway, as the house has a borehole and probably treats its own waste water it really is academic.
I guess it was to be expected and I'm sure that the water vigilantes will come out in force rioting and smashing up greenhouses and making off with the produce..................

Posted by: Darren Apr 9 2012, 02:56 PM

I await the photos in the People showing masked looters making off with tomato plants and an armful of cucumbers..

Posted by: NWNREADER Apr 9 2012, 03:03 PM

Do you collect them? You could make a pillow

Posted by: Brewmaster Apr 9 2012, 05:19 PM

Read my post - no. 99 - again. I said 'Using a hosepipe to syphon water out of a domestic bath is surely OK'. Surely that assumes that it has been used it to bath in.

Or are you suggesting that I would fill the bath from the tap just so that I could syphon the water out onto the garden by hosepipe?

Hey, that's an idea!

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 9 2012, 06:37 PM

Keep going Brewmaster 3 shirleys in a row will give you endless water credits.
ce

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 9 2012, 06:51 PM

Exactly, and that is one reason you might still be in breach of a hosepipe ban.

Posted by: Strafin Apr 9 2012, 07:41 PM

Yes. I don't know if I believe this particular story, but the way all MP's seem to put themselves on a pedestal these days, nothing would surprise me about them feeling they (and their minions) are exempt.

Posted by: jaycakes Apr 10 2012, 12:05 AM

Well after a night of driving around my car is dirtier than a hotel in a back street in the middle east and my wheels are especially caked.
Depending on what time I wake up I will try to wash with a bucket. Oh the joys. Luckily I bought from a car show a silly little pump-pressure sprayer which I can use to help rinse off suds afterwards but it's still an awful lot of trouble.

The joke is the bloody polish people up the road can use it to charge people £3.00 for a car wash. I would just get them to do mine but a) I've never paid for someone else to wash my car and they would remove all my wax and polish and no doubt leave a whole load of swirl marks and I'd need to machine polish the motor again.

Am I right in thinking if you are say a part time car detailer (eg you do it at the weekends for people who pay you money) you can use their water supply if you are charging them in a business nature?

Posted by: Berkshirelad Apr 11 2012, 12:48 PM

I don't think so. Once the water has been run into the bath - whether used for bathing or not - it is no longer regarded as potable water. It becomes - by virtue of having left the mains - 'grey water'.

This is the reason that your kitchen's cold tap should come directly off the main supply and not from the cold water tank in the attic.

Similarly, in theory, you could water your garden with a hose from the hot tap...

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 11 2012, 12:59 PM

No wonder MPs fudged their expenses. There is so much grey out there
No wonder David Ike makes a living talking about Lizards.
ce

Posted by: Vodabury Apr 12 2012, 06:46 PM

I think the "Clinton moment" may soon be for the journalist. An anti-Tory showbiz hack who decided to call in on a bank holiday to discuss the hosepipe ban?

Maybe Ladbrokes are conducting their own investigation into betting patterns on this.

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 12 2012, 06:56 PM

I wonder if us 'mere mortals' would be treated the same if one of our 'friends' or neighbours decided to play a 'prank' on us and turn the tap on of a connected hose pipe? I suggest then that all hose pipes should be packet out of harms way; they are not necessary at the moment.

Posted by: Vodabury Apr 12 2012, 07:13 PM

Exactly. The story could not have been about wasting water, for the "journalist" (by his own admission) stood by and watched the hose run for two hours. Did he not think to turn off the tap?

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 12 2012, 08:29 PM

It would seem it wasn't about wasting water as such, more the potentially illegal use of it.

Posted by: Vodabury Apr 12 2012, 08:43 PM

But as the estate has its own borehole there was no illegal use. And Thames Water have confirmed this.

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 12 2012, 08:50 PM

That is why I used the word potentially. It does raise the question why they tuned it off if they were not doing anything wrong?

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 12 2012, 10:53 PM

tuned it off ?
Audio is a darn dodgy business.
ce

Posted by: Vodabury Apr 13 2012, 08:11 AM

I should imagine the Benyon household turned it off for the same reason they didn't turn it on in the first place.

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 13 2012, 10:07 AM

Assuming they did originally turn it off of course; we know what your Tory chums can be like!

If a reporter said to me that the pipe was on (and the source was from a bore hole), I'd have replied with a: 'So what, it is from a bore-hole, now get of my land or I'll release the hounds on you peasant journalist you!"

Posted by: JeffG Apr 13 2012, 10:39 AM

I don't understand the reasoning here. Surely taking water from an aquifer means someone somewhere else can't have it, especially if it's depleted.

Posted by: Simon Kirby Apr 13 2012, 11:01 AM

It depends, but probably not. Aquifers are really big, like many tens of miles across, but the water in them is not terribly mobile, so drawing down the water table in one location doesn't greatly influence the water table in other locations (though it depends on what kind of ground it is) unless you're creating a really big gradient by pumping out millions of gallons. Mostly the ground water is just moving down the water table gradient until it emerges in a stream, and that journey can take many years (I know rivers rise when it rains, but that actual water might have fallen ten years ago and was effectively squeezed out of the aquifer by the weight of the rain joining the queue in the uplands) so to some degree if you don't use the ground water it isn't saved for someone else to use, it just flows out to sea.

Posted by: Vodabury Apr 14 2012, 05:44 PM

I wouldn't have set the dogs on him, the poor animals might contract something nasty biting into a tabloid hack.

Posted by: Vodabury Apr 14 2012, 06:35 PM

Yes. In addition to bore holes, many big estates also treat their own sewage. Along with the rain that falls on the land, the ground gets replenished following local human use.

The general problem we have with water in UK is concentration of population and housing in certain areas, such as the drier south east.

Posted by: NWNREADER Apr 14 2012, 09:23 PM

In his comments on the 'story', Mr B had said he banned the use of hosepipes on the estate (even though there is a borehole) because he recognised the source was the same aquifer (the newspaper quoted aqueduct, but I suspect that is a typo.....)

Posted by: Dodgys smarter brother. Apr 16 2012, 09:11 AM

Just heard that the drought / ban may go on until Christmas.


No Ho-Ho-Hose this year then.

Posted by: Jayjay Apr 16 2012, 11:43 AM

Posted by: jaycakes Apr 16 2012, 01:34 PM

ololol

Posted by: Penelope Apr 16 2012, 02:32 PM

A bit like Tiger Woods then.

Posted by: jaycakes Apr 16 2012, 03:15 PM

Dead.

Talking of hose and pipes...

I washed my car today. Bucket. Not a fun experience. I hate it.

Posted by: Penelope Apr 16 2012, 03:48 PM

Oh, he probably has an aquaduct, built on the backs of the workers out of their bones, sweat and blood.

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 16 2012, 05:49 PM

The Romans did do some good waterworks for the fountains. Penelope.

You have to look before, to the times of a Persian Empire.
"Blind White Fish In Persia". Is a book I have probably ditched.
It describes a University trip to discover old underground water ways.
From the snows to the valleys. Perhaps a book from 1950s.
The water routes still exist. I only know because I was born there.
(Sorry NWN Reader)ce

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 16 2012, 05:59 PM

As usual I am shocked to find a dusty tome that I think I threw long ago
available on google Archive.. moments ago.
Do not waste time. It was boring.
ce

Posted by: gel Apr 18 2012, 07:12 PM

Olympics Exemption
I saw in press yesterday that the hosepipe ban does not apply to the greenery etc
being laid down at the Olympics waste of time/££. no doubt Benyon sanctioned that
for London, Dorset, Berskhire and other locations where they're being built.

"Environment Agency have plans to ensure the Olympic Games will not be affected by the lack of water as the supply is from sustainable sources"

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 18 2012, 07:27 PM

OK. Gel.
How many louts does it take to water an Olympic park.
Hopefully (ASBOs) assuming it is carried out after dark?

I'm a poet, I know it, Hope I don't blow it.
I post rubbish.
ce

Posted by: NWNREADER Apr 18 2012, 07:33 PM

Is it you who keeps stuffing that junk mail in my letterbox?

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 19 2012, 11:15 AM

Sorry about that.NWN Reader. !

I often wonder if anyone keeps,or uses the leaflets. I get stuff from gardeners,
cleaners,Pizza, Thai,Indian, Solicitors,Estate Agents Gyms. As I live in a street
with a mini recycling bin outside my local supermarket it gets binned.
Especially the Gym and Well being ones.
So when I collect my Telegraph and a bottle of Pinot I feel that I have saved the planet.
ce

Posted by: HeatherW Apr 19 2012, 07:53 PM

I do not think this weeks down pour will help matters much? But then again it is at least something.

Posted by: NWNREADER Apr 19 2012, 09:13 PM

The last few days I have completely gone off droughts.....

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 23 2012, 10:26 AM

Last week............

MONDAY - rain
TUESDAY - rain
WEDNESDAY - rain
THURSDAY - rain
FRIDAY - rain
SATURDAY - rain
SUNDAY - rain
TODAY - rain

Forecast for this week..........

TUESDAY - rain
WEDNESDAY - rain
THURSDAY - rain
FRIDAY - rain
SATURDAY - rain.



Although apparently it's the "wrong sort"

Posted by: JeffG Apr 23 2012, 12:43 PM

Heavy showers just run off the hard ground and into storm drains, so don't replenish aquifers. Apparently.

Posted by: Simon Kirby Apr 23 2012, 05:15 PM

No, I think its the right sort sure enough, but it's getting a little late. Once spring is on the way what rain does fall tends to evaporate in the warm weather and get transpired by growing plants before it has much of a chance to soak down deeply into the ground and join the aquifier, but while the weather is currently cool and the rain is consistent and moderate it will help, but it will need to rain like this for the next six weeks to make much of an impact.

Posted by: bonnie Apr 23 2012, 06:55 PM

Perhaps a hosepipe ban should be enforced November-January,then the rain,which seems to fall almost non-stop once the ban is in place, will be over in time for the Spring.

Posted by: Simon Kirby Apr 23 2012, 07:36 PM

Posted by: Darren Apr 23 2012, 07:44 PM

I've found a sure-fire way around the hosepipe ban.

Just leave your garden outside

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 23 2012, 07:46 PM

Heavy showers??

It's rained all day!!

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 23 2012, 07:47 PM

Warm weather??

It's bloody freezing!

Posted by: Simon Kirby Apr 23 2012, 08:07 PM

Which from the hose-pipe-ban point of view is good news because ordinarily (if there is such a thing with English weather) April would be quite a warm sunny month and those April showers would ordinarily evaporate and be snapped up by thirsty plants, but while the weather is cold and gray the rain still has a chance to soak down.

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 28 2012, 08:35 AM

OK come on, who was it, own up now, ........who prayed for rain??

Posted by: NORTHENDER Apr 28 2012, 09:13 AM

Must be the wettest drought in history. I have been deprived of my game of golf for over a week now as the course is one giant water hazard and the course is closed

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 28 2012, 09:31 AM

I am sure there has been one watering hole open. Still one shouldn't drink and drive..." FORE". hic.
ce

Posted by: gel Apr 28 2012, 09:53 AM

Will Thames Water be showing us all a credit on our annual bills in view of their

• failure to supply as per normal service levels
• be forced to up their game regards investing (their money, not ours) in the failing infrastructure,
  rather than use their revenue as a cash cow for investors (foreign, as is the case with many
  of our utilities)
• lamentable (slow) speed many of us have witnessed re getting round to fixing leaks,
  bearing in mind too that household use is a tiny % of total usage

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 28 2012, 10:00 AM

And failure to collect all this wet stuff falling out of the sky which we are told will make no difference as it just runs off the land, into the rivers and back to the sea?

Posted by: spartacus Apr 28 2012, 10:46 AM

THAT is the tragedy... Washed all out to sea....
Countries that have far less rainfall than us manage their water collection so they don't have to call hosepipe bans every year. Relying on slow seepage down to the aquifers when so much of the ground above is covered with roads, houses, driveways, blockpaving is just crazy. Give it a few years and we'll have to rethink how we use water. Pottable water used to flush the toilets?

The wrong type of rain...

Posted by: Nothing Much Apr 28 2012, 11:57 AM

Flushing good water down the drain?

HMMM. An elderly neighbour has passed on at about 101 . She was fiercely independant.
In the end her carers decided enough was enough. No indoor "facilities". An earth closet round the side.

Jaycakes knows my view of watering the roses after dark but there is a limit.

I have had to (possibly mentioned this before) register site and space of a septic tank . Another EU directive.
How long before there is a tax on outflow to your own .3 of a rood. (Poles and Perches are not involved.)
ce

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 28 2012, 02:47 PM

At least it keeps Newbury's muggers and murderers off the street!

Posted by: NWNREADER Apr 28 2012, 03:17 PM

Until we get a roof over the Parkway development - then they will have a safe haven 24/7/52.......

Posted by: Cognosco Apr 28 2012, 03:22 PM

Are you suggesting we mistreat our poor muggers murderers etc?

What about their human rights?

Posted by: jaycakes Apr 28 2012, 09:24 PM

Murderers are people too. As are cabbages.

They just hide popular shopping outlets know, behind the "in season" sections.

Posted by: Baffers100 May 1 2012, 01:12 PM

Oh dear, what a day to decide to join the forum I have been enjoying reading on my lunch break!

Back on topic, hose ban= pain in the ****.
Neighbours who are clearly above the ban= even more so!

Posted by: Newbelly May 1 2012, 01:22 PM

Looks like some appropriate action has been taken by admin on the board today!

BOT:

I have an app on my iPad which charts my water/electric/gas usage (I enter readings monthly) and it works out alll sorts of clever things. What I note is that my water usage changes very little from summer to winter months, perhaps demonstrating that it is showers and loo-flushing that cause my demand, not the garden. I heard on the radio that a hosepipe ban saves 5 - 10% of domestic use - not a huge amount then.

Posted by: Mugwump00 May 1 2012, 01:52 PM

I'm not going to actually read this crap - I just wanted to know if Thames Water had fallen on its sword. Ha, as if...

Isn't that a matter for that horrible clinic with the stern doctor, the 'orrible nurse with the 'orrible cotton-buds and that weewee-speakeasy business (or so I've heard)?

Posted by: Roger T May 1 2012, 04:32 PM

I saw a most intriguing article from BBC today, about how it would require around 750mm of precipitation between now and September in order to restore the required water levels for the hose pipe ban to be lifted. The rainfall we have had thus far is apparently not of much help due to "dryness".

Posted by: Penelope May 1 2012, 05:07 PM

Schools out.

Posted by: Mugwump00 May 1 2012, 07:12 PM

Is that your post of the day? What a waste...

Posted by: Newbelly May 1 2012, 07:48 PM

Sorry, I do not understand you.

Posted by: Roger T May 1 2012, 08:46 PM

I've not seen any neighbours use their hosepipes recently, since the ban. Then again none of my neighbours ever used a hosepipe in my for as long as I can recall.

Then again I wouldn't report someone if they did, likewise of myself. Nobody likes someone who snitches, or as my Nephew says "dobs" on someone.
I had dealings only a few months ago with someone who was a "grass", you share information with them in good faith, and they betray that. On a personal level I have no time for people who snitch on trivial matters.

Posted by: andy1979uk May 2 2012, 08:36 AM

On the news this morning it said standpipes would need to be used next year if we have another dry winter, can imagine the uproar that would cause. So maybe people who still continue to use their house should take note.

Posted by: blackdog May 2 2012, 08:48 AM

The news I heard said standpipes could not 'would' be needed next year.

I shall continue to use my house regardless.

Posted by: Nothing Much May 2 2012, 08:53 AM

I made a promise to myself not to comment on granma, spelling mistakes and commas etc.,
But Andy1979s post did make me chortle a moment ago.
Blackdog beat me to it. Shucks.
ce

Posted by: Bloggo May 2 2012, 08:56 AM

Don't give up, there are plenty of tap dancing jokes to go on with.

Posted by: andy1979uk May 2 2012, 08:57 AM

haha ok spelling cops ;-)

Posted by: Nothing Much May 2 2012, 09:22 AM

I thought it was a good ribbing Andy1979 no harm intended.
It took me a moment to turn on Bloggos tap dancing gag.

Back to hosepipes....
ce

Posted by: Roger T May 2 2012, 11:11 AM

That might be the case, we can only wait and see. As a song that was once sung by a singer whose name escapes me, everywhere you go, always take the weather with you because like when your wife decides to "borrow" your credit card, you can't predict it. My Nephew and I are close, it was him who inquired why Auntie T would be using Uncles T's credit card. Quite the observant young one.

And if standpipes were to be used perhaps we should see a nice reduction in our water bills. My water is only directed at myself in the most part, and the vehicle occasionally on a sunny Saturday.
Although myself more often.

And recently I have started drinking excessively. Coffee you see. That would explain the jitters.

Posted by: Nothing Much May 2 2012, 01:51 PM

How embarassking.. I have just looked up RogerTs comment about a song and find it blocked.
I know the tune but...
Things come round and bite you on the foot.

I have just blocked a bloke in Iraq from using my family cine films.
They were downloaded, altered and uploaded as a new youtube.
High jinks on the net!
ce

Posted by: Nothing Much May 2 2012, 01:59 PM

To be frank or shirly I am baffled by Auntie T and nephew,not to mention Uncle's credit card.
Still we keep posting , I do have a story about the Speen Greyhound pub...but I will keep that for another ramble.
ce.

Posted by: Nothing Much May 2 2012, 02:16 PM

By the way "Shuck" was the ghostly Blackdog of Norfolk.
just an aside,
ce

Posted by: andy1979uk May 2 2012, 02:26 PM

Has anyone seen anyone use a hosepipe since the ban ?

Posted by: Nothing Much May 2 2012, 02:46 PM

I doubt that any one has ventured outside for a week.
The rain seems to circle round and suddenly it pours.
The thing about selling off reservoirs is a surprise.

There was a plan to reservoir the valley to the east of Adbury Park.
(Times on line) ce

Posted by: Biker1 May 2 2012, 03:06 PM

They only ban hose-pipe use because they are easier to monitor.
We are still not restricted on how we use water in other ways inside the hose house.
Are you restricting how many bath / showers you take, how often you use the washing machine, how often you flush the bog etc. etc.?

Posted by: Biker1 May 2 2012, 03:07 PM

Yes.

Posted by: Nothing Much May 2 2012, 03:24 PM

No Biker1. But as a poster knows I water the roses after dark.
Some plants seem to cope with a dry spell.
ce.

Posted by: Biker1 May 2 2012, 03:53 PM

Wasn't me asking the question NM.
I was answering it.

Posted by: Nothing Much May 2 2012, 04:31 PM

Well Biker1 .Sorry. I never know who I am talking to these last few days...
ce

Posted by: Biker1 May 2 2012, 04:36 PM

That's OK .................sorry, who are you??

Posted by: andy1979uk May 2 2012, 04:54 PM

I would have no problem reporting someone for using a hose

Posted by: Nothing Much May 2 2012, 05:05 PM

id est. or something like that. Sartre and Descartes had a go,
I remain bemused. Still I plod on posting rubbish.
Who am I, You would have to ask the clever folk above
ce.

Posted by: Biker1 May 2 2012, 05:07 PM

And what function would that achieve if you did.
(apart from personal satisfaction)
It is unlikely that they would be fined and may just get a gentle reminder from the water company.
As I said before, there are far bigger wasters of water than hoses although I admit, they should be used sensibly.

Posted by: Nothing Much May 2 2012, 05:18 PM

As has been suggested does that include emptying the bath.
From experience it takes a big amount of breath to get a bath out of the window..
Petrol was easier. But not so tasty.
ce

Posted by: Roger T May 2 2012, 05:45 PM

I see.
Perhaps you have your reasons. Why would you?
Because it's a hosepipe ban. Or because you would like to try to get someone in trouble?

On a personal level I referred to having no time for people who "dob" on others, as my Nephew says. Serves no purpose. Why not talk to them instead. Ask them kindly to stop. Would take a bigger and braver man (or woman, not forgetting our lovely ladies in the area) to take on an issue personally.
I respect your viewpoint but dislike it.

Oh, the kettle is whistling again. Coffee calls. I like Nescafe. It's on offer at the moment. With Cravendale milk. Only one sugar though.

Posted by: Andy Capp May 2 2012, 07:01 PM

Don't you two start again!


Using a hosepipe illegally is anti social, but so is 'dobbing' someone in, especially if they are a neighbour.

Posted by: Nothing Much May 2 2012, 07:27 PM

I remain clueless. As to who is who. Fun though.
A girl took to me once,from Newtown.
A Pretenders lookalike. (Chrissie Hynde is on a cd at the moment.)
She went to Hong Kong in 1972. Maybe I will work out how to facebook.
whatever, ce.

Posted by: andy1979uk May 3 2012, 08:11 AM

I would probably tell them about the ban first of course, if they continued I would then take the appropriate action. Although if it was my neighbour to the left I would just report her straight away as she is vile.

Posted by: dannyboy May 3 2012, 08:35 AM

At what crime level does 'dobbing' a neighbour switch from being anti-social to 'doing the right thing'?

Posted by: Baffers100 May 3 2012, 09:42 AM

I'm not happy with the rumours that the hose ban will last until the end of the year. I'm going to have to hose my car at some point. It takes ages with the bucket and the finish is never as good! You can't even perform an operation like that under the cover of darkness!

Has anybody reported any of their neighbours for using their hose? I have a neighbour who clarly feel the ban does not apply for them. Why they still need to use their hose in this weather I don't know! Reporting them feels a bit anal though.

That said, if they can water their lawn why can't I clean my car for work?! Grr...

Posted by: Andy Capp May 3 2012, 10:14 AM

It could be argued that you are not obliged to have a showroom condition car.

Posted by: andy1979uk May 3 2012, 10:22 AM

Thats abit selfish, just for a clean car. I wash mine with a watering can and the finish is just as good as a hose, your neighbour should not be watering his lawn in this weather, thats plain selfish and stupid and he needs reporting. If I saw you using a hose on your car I would report you as you clearly cannot understand water shortage.

Posted by: Roger T May 3 2012, 10:45 AM

I see. So it depends on whether you like the person.
Fair enough. Although I remain in disagreement.

My Nephew is probably the same at school. I try to teach him different. His mother is very stubborn.

Posted by: andy1979uk May 3 2012, 10:52 AM

Rules are rules and they should apply to everyone, I would report anyone who refused to stop using the hose after I had asked them too.

Posted by: Baffers100 May 3 2012, 11:17 AM

Precisely my point. I'm having to use a bucket to clean my car, but my neighbour is still using the hose to water their already sodden lawn! I suppose I am a bit narke off with them though for errecting a gazebo thing in their garden which has the height of a 2 story town house (and no planning permission...)

I must admit I didn't think of using the watering can, thanks for that, I'll give it a go. I suppose I am a bit like Xjay/ jaycakes or whatever he calls himself these days in that I like my car to be very clean. Every now and then I even detail it!

Posted by: Roger T May 3 2012, 11:30 AM

No disagreement on rules having their place. But could I say we are in agreement that some rules are unfair, or unjust(ified).
My Nephew would say the same, when I said he had to sleep at 11 when he visited, on a schoolnight.
Weekends are a different matter. Good for everyone.

But I still think reporting someone for using a hosepipe is a waste of otherwise good tea brewing time.
Perhaps I would report an assault. A serious crime. But a hosepipe, well, a menial task. I would let it slip. Turn a blind eye.

Rather than become segregated, perhaps we should unite against the water companies. Charging 100% of the price for perhaps 70% of the service. I would guess 30% of water use at the home is hosepipe related. No matter how much you dislike someone, a £1000 fine or criminal record...
That's my problem.
Mrs T wants to water the roses and other plants. I watch her struggle with a heavy watering can. She's quite strong, but still. Carrying 6 liters of water would break anyones back. For just £2 a month, you could help avoid.
Or you can laugh for free.

A personal note, I find a hosepipe is easier to wash a car with. Not used it personally but, a watering can to rinse seems like a good idea. More controlled. But like table sauces, HP is the hosepipe, and Sainsburys Taste the Difference would be any other method.

A small ramble, a polo when eaten before drinking water, makes the water taste colder. An interesting find.

Posted by: andy1979uk May 3 2012, 11:47 AM

I like a clean car as well, in fact I am having it detailed on the 24th May and it is hand washed once a fortnight.

I agree the water companies are partly to blame for lack of investment but we are in the situation we are in and we should all abide by the rules given to us. If your neaghbour is watering an already soggy lawn I would be having words as thats just a plain waste, shortage or no shortage.

I think Jcakes has been banned ?

Posted by: Roger T May 3 2012, 01:20 PM

Well, lucky for the rain. Although Mrs T still takes time with a watering can, once a week, she uses plant food. Not sure if it makes any difference but, gives her peace of mind.
Who is Jcakes? Apologies, not familiar around here, I've only been around for a few days. Reading for a week, maybe.

Posted by: massifheed May 3 2012, 01:36 PM

He has. But he's signed up again under a different name. I'm sure he thinks he's doing a great job hiding, but it's pretty obvious.

Posted by: Biker1 May 3 2012, 03:43 PM

Would you "dob" someone in for smoking cannabis?
"Rules are rules".

Posted by: andy1979uk May 3 2012, 03:57 PM

No, because no one is asking anyone not to do it and it has no affect on me. If selfish idiots keep using a hose and we run out water and end up with stand pipes then I have a right to report them.

Posted by: Biker1 May 3 2012, 04:26 PM

The law is asking them not to do it, and the use of illegal drugs affects everyone.

Posted by: andy1979uk May 3 2012, 04:29 PM

thats not what this topic is about

Posted by: Biker1 May 3 2012, 04:30 PM

It has mutated to "dobbing" people in.
I was simply asking why you would do this to a hosepipe user but not to a lawbreaker.
Anyway, as you say, drifting off topic so I'll leave it there.

Posted by: NWNREADER May 3 2012, 05:49 PM

For meeting Simon at his allotment?

Posted by: spartacus May 3 2012, 06:21 PM

For his comments about the Headley fatal more like

Posted by: NWNREADER May 3 2012, 06:59 PM

Maybe. Unfortunate form of words...... I think we should be told

Posted by: NORTHENDER May 3 2012, 07:50 PM

I think he has eloped with Nothing Much.

Posted by: Nothing Much May 3 2012, 09:05 PM

Hey Northendenderenderder I was just off for whorlicks and an early night
Then you get me started again
I know who I am therefore I am. Or something like that.
ce

Posted by: Roger T May 3 2012, 09:09 PM

I think, you may be right.
I watched a movie, a Rush Hour with my Nephew. I found the tall one, very funny. A good pair.
A scene in the Dojo, where he states simply "He is Me, and I am You".

Posted by: Nothing Much May 3 2012, 09:20 PM

I guess RogerT We are all at a bit of a Turnpike.
I think mine was 150 years ago and a horse drawn carriage ride away.
a bit

Posted by: Roger T May 3 2012, 09:25 PM

Horse drawn carriage- I remember a vacation in a sunny climate I took. 2 horses on a metal carriage. The horses had covers over their eyes. I figured they couldn't see, I felt death could occur. Collision with a lamp post, a sad story.

Posted by: massifheed May 3 2012, 11:40 PM

He's certainly taken to copying Nothing Much's "unique" posting style. There's plenty of other stuff that gives him away though.

Posted by: Roger T May 4 2012, 07:18 AM

Who what now? Very confusing for a man this early in the morning. Coffee approaches.

Posted by: NORTHENDER May 4 2012, 08:04 AM

Yes but there is only one Hex, one CE, and one Nothing Much..... I think
Imitation is the best form of flattery so its said...or is he a dancer?

Posted by: Roger T May 4 2012, 08:15 AM

A rather large fan of Kiplings myself. I would eat more but I'm already becoming fat.
Not a dancer, a form of Billy Elliot. I'm a manly man. The Tiny Dancer in the Elton John song was always a male. True story.

Posted by: NORTHENDER May 4 2012, 08:44 AM

Wasn't Flattery in Riverdance then?

Posted by: Biker1 May 4 2012, 09:05 AM

To quote and earlier post "that's not what this topic is about"!

Posted by: Biker1 May 4 2012, 09:11 AM

I think now the water companies are embarrassed by the weather we have been having since introducing the hosepipe ban and now probably wish they hadn't.
They now find have to keep it up even though it is not necessary just to save face.
Ridiculous!.

Posted by: Roger T May 4 2012, 09:16 AM

I think it takes a lot more than 3 weeks heavy rain to give us back our water.
The Africans would disagree though.

Posted by: Biker1 May 4 2012, 09:17 AM

Which we will probably get.
Anyway it's been 5 weeks now.

Posted by: NORTHENDER May 4 2012, 10:03 AM

Found guilty without a trial. Please read from post 222. Are you a councilor?

Posted by: andy1979uk May 4 2012, 10:26 AM

Anyone who thinks that the past few weeks of rainfall will make up for 20 months of below average rainfall clearly needs to go back to school to study basic maths.

Posted by: Nothing Much May 4 2012, 10:38 AM

Just in case anyone notices the names at the bottom, I am still at the PC.
I wimped out. 8c is too cold for me these days. I would end up under a duvet.

As an aside from water pipe dreams. Much amused by earlier comments. Re names.
"I am not a man, I am Dynamite". Someone clever with a Zee said that.

A completely useless piece of knowledge follows. Those with a cake disposition look away now.

I googled wimp,I wasn't sure if it had an aitch.
A WIMP in astrophysics is a Weakly Interacting Massive Particle.
Scientists think they might might hold a clue to dark matter.
A bit like a comment on the Clangers shindig.
ce . (for now)

Posted by: Roger T May 4 2012, 10:46 AM

One could assume that if we had 10 months of 50% of average rainfall, we could have 2 months of 250% rainfall. That would add up.
I got a C in maths. Simply average.

I focus on English more. Calculators are easier to use than dictionaries.

Posted by: andy1979uk May 4 2012, 10:51 AM

The problem the rain is being soaked up by the ground and the growing spring plants, we will need alot more to make big difference and to lift the ban.

Posted by: Andy Capp May 4 2012, 11:56 AM

It is more a geological issue, than a mathematical one. The heavy rain fall in spring and summer washes away and evaporates before replenishing the aquifers. If we had mild extensive rain fall in the winter, then less would drain away or evaporate before filling the aquifers.

There's a few words for you to google.

Posted by: Nothing Much May 4 2012, 01:48 PM

"I'll have a pint of MILD with an aquifertop, Mu friend is after a pint HEAVY wiv a dash of ... "
The words RogerT will need to McGoogle. Sorry, I spent many a happy evening in Scotland.
ce.

Posted by: On the edge May 4 2012, 03:22 PM

Brilliant example! Demonstrates the need for a balanced curriculum. Never mind A levels - bring back School Certificate!

Posted by: Dodgys smarter brother. May 4 2012, 03:53 PM

This must still be the wettest drought on record.

Posted by: andy1979uk May 4 2012, 03:57 PM

Yes, I heard that the drought of 76 felt alot warmer

Posted by: Roger T May 4 2012, 04:03 PM

Still none the wiser, I shall spend some time on elGoog later. I suppose like a college graduate. Study and research.

Posted by: Nothing Much May 4 2012, 04:19 PM

Lets just say that the car I use (to get points) will keep me warm for a few hours,
then I will start to shiver in Norfolk as I am doing at the moment a few miles from Kings Cross.
It is truly horrible.
ce

Posted by: Biker1 May 4 2012, 04:47 PM

You really believe all that propaganda don't you?
We are told by Thames Water that our water comes from the River Kennet as in banners at stations etc. (So not aquifers.)
The Kennet looks pretty full and fast flowing to me at present!
PS It's got nothing to do with maths, just simple logic - the rivers are full and the ground is sodden.

Posted by: andy1979uk May 4 2012, 04:57 PM

Don't talk to me like I am stupid, I have a partner who works for Thames Water so I know the facts thankyou very much. Considering you know nothing, and your educated view is to look out the window I shall ignore pretty much everything you say from now on. Due to the fact you cannot hold a debate in an aduly manner.

Is it JayCakes back as Biker1 ?

Posted by: Biker1 May 4 2012, 05:02 PM

Wow! Bit severe!
Just having a debate with you as is the intention of this site.
Sorry if I have offended you, not intentional and in no way was I saying you are stupid.
You say I am childish and know nothing so, as you request, I will no longer debate with you.
Pity!

Posted by: andy1979uk May 4 2012, 05:04 PM

No, you argue for the sake of arguing and will not listen to a balanced point of view. You want to use your hose and are justifying it to yourself, I have no time for people like you who ruin things for everyone else.

Posted by: Biker1 May 4 2012, 05:05 PM

Where have I said I used my hose?
I have no intention of using it.
All I said / implied / debated was that I think the ban is not necessary and has little effect on water consumption.
That is my view, obviously you differ.
Does not mean either of us are stupid.
"Ruin things for everyone else"?????

Posted by: Andy Capp May 4 2012, 05:57 PM

Posted by: Biker1 May 4 2012, 06:08 PM

There's only one side getting their fists out.
I'm all for adult debate.

Posted by: On the edge May 4 2012, 06:10 PM

'76 was brilliant! Just before, we'd purchased a village general store and took over what the old owner apologised for as being a substantial 'over stock' of ice cream and soft drinks, so he gave us a hefty discount....

Posted by: andy1979uk May 4 2012, 06:16 PM

Why on earth would they tell us there is a water shortage when there is'nt? I'm on a water meter, they will be getting less money out of me. Your just throwing rocks to stir things, the same as Jaycakes used too.

Posted by: Strafin May 4 2012, 06:39 PM

Because they're more interested in profits than offering a service. The Victorian infrastructure that they use to deliver water to buildings is falling apart and they are not invested enough time or money to maintain it.

Posted by: andy1979uk May 4 2012, 07:00 PM

I agree with you there, there is lack of investment but thats not going to change the fact that we have had a shortage of rainfall for the past 2 years.

Posted by: Nothing Much May 4 2012, 08:12 PM

Still. I keep watering the roses after dark. Just in case it don't deluge like the last few nights.

Maybe an ark could be assembled on a plot south of Newbury.
At least it would have a flag and a chimbley.
ce.

Posted by: Cognosco May 4 2012, 08:25 PM

We have more rainfall per year, even the last two yearrs, than a lot of other countries who have larger populations.
The problem is we do not store it, unlike other countries, we let it run out to sea. I do believe they wanted to create a resevior up the road near Abingdon a few years ago and there was an outcry from local residents and it never was created.

With all the new housing that is proposed locally and nationally there is no mention of infrastructure such as water supply sewage treatment etc in the planning proposals usuallly. so this will only exacerbate the problem for the future. The only thought it seems is how much money can be made from the construction of the housing etc. Never a thought is given to upgrade the capacity of the essential services that may be required such as water, sewage, electricity. Of course even less is said about building on flood plains best keep that quiete?

Posted by: Jayjay May 4 2012, 08:36 PM

Between 2000 and 2006 Thames water sold six reservoirs for housing. This is a double whammy. One, there is less water storage and 2 the areas have been concreted over so rain cannot penetrate the ground.

Posted by: Strafin May 4 2012, 08:45 PM

I am very lucky to be able to go to Las Vegas quite a lot which is in the middle of the desert. They seem to cope just fine.

Posted by: Andy Capp May 4 2012, 09:00 PM

Some bumph to read.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4719473.stm

http://www.economist.com/node/18013810

Posted by: Strafin May 4 2012, 09:53 PM

I may be moving there soon, I'll bottle some from my hose and take it with me! Interesting reading, they've done OK for years and years, but at what expense! Time will tell.

Posted by: Nothing Much May 4 2012, 10:17 PM

I'll bottle some from my hose

Have fun Strafin. Even though we speak the same langwidge as the US.
Pantyhose in their thrillers still seems odd.A bit pervy even.
Mrs NM wore tights,the same thing but from Tesco,
ce

Posted by: Andy Capp May 4 2012, 10:31 PM

I have seen TV shows where the idea is that the west coast could be in the doo-dah, as it were.

Posted by: NWNREADER May 5 2012, 06:25 AM

Why on earth would they tell us there is a water shortage when there is'nt?
So they can justify increases in charges to consumers? 'We need more............' Capital projects are sexy and generate Government grants (which we pay for. Maintenance is boring and comes from revenue. So they prefer to build reservoirs than replace old supply pipes.


Between 2000 and 2006 Thames water sold six reservoirs for housing. The TW response is that they were not reservoirs, just locals storage tanks 'similar to the tank in the roof of a house'. I smiled at that......

I am very lucky to be able to go to Las Vegas quite a lot which is in the middle of the desert. They seem to cope just fine. Not strictly true. I don't know about Vegas, but much of the Water for Phoenix is drawn from the Colorado River via a canal. The water levels in the Colorado, and especially the Lake Powell reservoir, have dropped considerably, Last time I was there Lake Powell is down about 20' and the build up of sludge is further reducing capacity. The natural oases in a desert are fed by local water, the artificial ones the Americans create are fed by piped in water. They themselves are questioning why folk want to live in a desert environment that has its own natural attraction yet demand lush lawns for their houses, public spaces and corporate HQs.

Posted by: Biker1 May 5 2012, 08:02 AM

I think talking about Las Vegas is a little different to West Berkshire which is in a wet, temperate zone.
Las Vegas is in the middle of a desert, of course there are water supply issues!

Posted by: Strafin May 5 2012, 08:35 AM

That was more my point actually Biker, there's no hosepipe ban there, even with all their troubles.

Posted by: Biker1 May 5 2012, 09:29 AM

Absolutely, which has been one of my points all along.
Just that Andy C was pointing out that problems may be imminent for that part of the world.

Posted by: NORTHENDER May 5 2012, 09:49 AM

Interesting link. Watch the vid if you have time.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/topics/water/

Posted by: blackdog May 5 2012, 10:28 AM

I suspect that storage 'tanks in the roof' store a lot more water than those six reservoirs. Even if the 'reservoirs' were still around they would have been filled by pumping water out of the aquifer; it is probably better to leave it to be extracted from the aquifer a little later than pump it into a leaky reservoir via leaky pipes.

In the late 1940s there was a proposal to indundate nine square miles of the Enborne valley south of Newbury to create a real reservoir - now that would have made a difference.

Posted by: Jayjay May 5 2012, 12:02 PM

As well as the six reservoirs, they also sold/closed 25 bulk water storage facilities (600M gallons), I think this is where the anology of 'tanks in the roof' comes from.

Posted by: Newbelly May 7 2012, 04:41 PM

Could not local reservoirs also help hold rainfall that does not reach the aquifer? We seem to be told that "the wrong type of rain" does not replenish aquifers and runs into rivers and the sea.

Posted by: blackdog May 7 2012, 05:08 PM

I guess they could pump out of rivers and into storage somewhere - or they could encourage the gravel extraction folk to dig deeper and make some nice storage ponds along the A4 corridor. Or close a few sluices and let the Kennet valley flood; thus giving the rainfall more chance to make it into the aquifer - shame they have allowed so much of the flood plain to be built over.

Posted by: Newbelly May 7 2012, 06:32 PM

Yes, but we should not pump too much out of rivers as there is a wildlife protection issue as well.

Take your point about flood plains. We should learn to work more with nature.

Posted by: Penelope May 7 2012, 09:14 PM

Doesn't stop Swindon using half the kennet to flush their bogs with.

Posted by: blackdog May 8 2012, 07:58 PM

But it probably ends up back in the Kennet after processing - by the time it gets to the sea it could have been used three or four times.

Posted by: Penelope May 8 2012, 09:48 PM

dont make me laff, when did you ever hear of someone from Swindon putting something back where they found it. Buncha pikeys.

Posted by: Penelope May 8 2012, 09:53 PM

thought it was, go for it, be a laff sweetie

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome May 9 2012, 03:40 PM

A lake now exists in Hambridge Road (Burst Main). What a waste.

Posted by: Roger T May 9 2012, 03:49 PM

Maybe it can be collected in buckets, for application to cars, caravans and motor boats later, by use of a pressure fed water delivery system.
A Karcher, as Mrs T calls it. Waste not want not. In my case I can use it to bathe.

Posted by: Darren May 9 2012, 06:50 PM

To quote Terry Pratchetts' works "Anything that's passed through so many kidneys has to be very pure indeed."

Posted by: Roger T May 9 2012, 10:41 PM

Was still there at 9pm this evening.
I can hear my jet wash calling me... "get me wet... spray me". Or maybe that's some other voices. Unsure, at this hour..
What a waste, though. And all the congestion.

Posted by: gel May 11 2012, 07:31 PM

See on news that large amounts of England ie S West & Midlands have had hosepipe ban lifted;
how long till we get relief?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18032552

Posted by: Exhausted May 11 2012, 07:55 PM

Whatever do you need a hosepipe for. The ground is already sodden and I'm sure your water butt must be full and overflowing.

Posted by: user23 May 11 2012, 08:13 PM

How long til you get relief?

You know it's not that type of "hosepipe" that's banned don't you?

Posted by: Newbelly May 11 2012, 08:28 PM

Posted by: GMR May 12 2012, 10:59 AM

He should know; one as batteries and the other should be connected to a tap.

Posted by: Biker1 May 13 2012, 07:27 AM

They won't lift it because the who saga has turned into an embarrassment for Thames Water.

Posted by: blackdog May 13 2012, 08:47 AM

They won't lift it because the levels of water in the aquifers are still incredibly low. Other water authorities have big reservoirs, more rain, more rivers etc - Thames Water supply the most densely populated part of the country and are reliant on underground sources. What we need is a national grid for water - to even out the supply issue.