Hosepipe bans

Seven water authorities in the UK have introduced hosepipe bans from today, and as we blogged about last Tuesday, they are Thames, Southern, South East, Anglian, Sutton and East Surrey, Veolia Central and Veolia South East.

The ban will affect around 20 million customers and anyone who disregards the ban could face a £1000 fine. The restrictions for those living in these areas mean that you shouldn’t water gardens, clean cars, clean boats, fill paddling pools or swimming pools, water plants, fill ponds not containing fish or fill ornamental fountains, or clean windows etc or paths and patios.

Advice for the public to save on water includes using washing machines and dishwashers only when they are full, use bath and washing up water to water plants and the garden, don’t keep the tap running when brushing your teeth and if you need to run it until the tap water goes hot or cold –  use the water to water plants and keep a jug of cold water in the fridge.