It’s Official – Drought in UK – Hosepipe Bans Announced Today!

[Rosie1958]

The drought has been caused by the lowest rainfall and river levels in 110 years – and recent rainfall in the eastern part of our region has done virtually nothing to replenish supplies. As we come out of the ‘normal’ recharge season, we face a dry spring and summer. Only persistent rain for many weeks can help, and this is unlikely.


By acting now, and getting everyone to do their bit too, supplies for this year can be safeguarded, and importantly, next year as well. Everything is being done to protect supplies, such as investing in extra teams to find and fix leaks and over the past ten years, a huge amount of investment in the reservoirs/ infrastructure and pipework has been made in the east of the country where I live to the tune of £100m. Neighbouring water companies are working together to move water to the areas that need it most.

The use of hosepipe bans has been announced today by several water companies which is a responsible start and the utility companies will also be talking to customers about how they can save water at home, at work and in the garden. It is effective from 5th April in most areas, just before Easter which is traditionally a gardening weekend.

The news is bound to be unpopular but unfortunately, the companies can’t make it rain.

[Terpe]

Yup, I just heard this on the local radio.
We come under Anglian Water and will be subject to this restriction.

It's something we've seen before anyway.
My only 'bite-back', would be to suggest that Anglian Water needs to be much more serious about leakage. Prevention is better than cure. I accept that the water companies can't make it rain, but they should control leakage of treated potable water.

Anyone remember the 'share a bath' and 'share a shower' scheme?
I'm on the lookout for suitable candidates

[andy222]

Over population????

[lastlid]

Down to 2 unusually dry winters apparently. Doesn't seem like that though.

[Terpe]

Over population????

Andy, that must be a factor in some places. Especially in our village.
The village population is now 35 times what it was in 1956 when our local reservoir and water treatment plant was opened (yep, I can remember the Queen Mother opened it)
It also supplies all the locality. I can see how low it is, but is it all due to the drought?
Good point Andy

[Terpe]

Down to 2 unusually dry winters apparently. Doesn't seem like that though.

We've been pumping from the local river to the reservoir for at least 3 months already.

BTW lastld, I see you changed you avatar again. Hope I didn't influence that

[lastlid]

We've been pumping from the local river to the reservoir for at least 3 months already.

BTW lastld, I see you changed you avatar again. Hope I didn't influence that

Not really. I was trying to find the right one for me. Like picking an item of clothing....

[grahamw48]

Not in Yorkshire there isn't....and of course we're very frugal anyway.

[Arthur Little]

Aww ... just when we've been enjoying the glorious of the mildest winter in many years. Still, we must all do our bit towards conserving water supplies.

[mickcant]

Water companies could do more to stop waste from leaks in their systems
We have been on meters on the Isle of Wight for some years.
Mick

[Rosie1958]

Yup, I just heard this on the local radio.
We come under Anglian Water and will be subject to this restriction.

It's something we've seen before anyway.
My only 'bite-back', would be to suggest that Anglian Water needs to be much more serious about leakage. Prevention is better than cure. I accept that the water companies can't make it rain, but they should control leakage of treated potable water.

Anyone remember the 'share a bath' and 'share a shower' scheme?
I'm on the lookout for suitable candidates

Leakage is a big issue; more than 60 extra specialists were recruited by Anglian Water to help find and fix leaks, and an additional £6.8million was added to the existing £7.2million that was already available for dealing with leaks, leading to a £14million war chest being available. They are on track to beat the annual leakage target this year, but the focus on finding and fixing leaks has never been higher.

The current ‘Bits & Bobs’ water efficiency campaign being run by the water & sewerage utility helps customers to target and plug leaks at home – leakages in the home account for nearly 17% of all leakage in the region so we can all do our bit. That includes:-

- Fixing any dripping taps and leaking overflow pipes around your home
- Brushing teeth and washing vegetables without leaving the tap running
- Taking showers instead of baths
- Spending less time in the shower and therefore using less water
- Using washing up water to water the plants
- Wash vehicles less frequently using a bucket ........ a dirty car is now going to be cool this summer
- Ensure that water consumption is considered when buying any new appliances, e.g. washing machines, dishwashers, etc.
- Consider having a water meter fitted, most people save money by doing so and they are fitted for free. It's much fairer to only pay for what you use and some companies have special tariffs for very low users

Water is a precious resource that is essential to life and we all take it for granted in this country. If we all had to walk two miles every day to collect dirty water from a stream and carry it back for the family in a large pot balanced on the head as some poor souls in other countries have to, I think that we would have more respect for it. I'm not suggesting that it will happen here but I am sure that you all know what I mean

[lastlid]

If we all had to walk two miles every day to collect dirty water from a stream and carry it back for the family in a large pot balanced on the head as some poor souls in other countries have to, I think that we would have more respect for it.I'm not suggesting that it will happen here but I am sure that you all know what I mean

I think thats what my wife had to to when she was a kid.

[Terpe]

I think thats what my wife had to to when she was a kid.

My wife had to collect buckets of water from the village standpipe/handpump.
It's all on tap now. Mind you I don't drink it or even brush my teeth in it.

[lastlid]

My wife had to collect buckets of water from the village standpipe/handpump.
It's all on tap now. Mind you I don't drink it or even brush my teeth in it.

Yes. From a village standpipe, not a stream. In Negros Oriental.

[Arthur Little]

Yes, water is a very precious resource indeed. Alas, I don't consume nearly as much of it as I SHOULD ... preferring sweetened, soft, fizzy drinks (as mentioned on another thread) although I suppose my limited intake is, to some extent, compensated for, by adding it to dilutable fruit juices.

[grahamw48]

Yes. From a village standpipe, not a stream. In Negros Oriental.

Luxury !

When I were a lad....

[lastlid]

Did you know that in some places around the world, in the middle east for instance, water is more expensive than petroleum?

[grahamw48]

Judging by the aroma given off by some of the locals there...YES !

How much is soap ?

[lastlid]

Judging by the aroma given off by some of the locals there...YES !

How much is soap ?

[stevewool]

n other words all our bills will be going up next year to pay for the cost of shipping water to other counties