Forum Topic

Stop using hosepipes

A few of us went for a wander around over the weekend, mostly through Bedford Park and nearby. It was shocking how many people were using hoses and, even worse, jetwashes to clean their cars.  I am no fan of Thames Water and their lack of focus on fixing leaks but there has been plenty of emails and tv ads about saving water. Likewise Gardens.  Use water cans if strictly necessary but just leave the lawn alone. Stay save all

Julie Canterbury ● 1526d25 Comments

The car is staying dirty, it's going to rain on Thursday. :-)

N V Brooks ● 1526d

I’m being ripped off for a fortune on my water bill.

Russell Pearson ● 1526d

If you don't have teenagers (usually girls), consider getting a water meter

Peter King ● 1526d

I’m sensible and use the hose pipe well. Most these gripers pay someone to water their garden for them.

Russell Pearson ● 1526d

And if you were in South Africa not that long ago you would have been in an even greater pickle!  We do rather take our piped drinking water for granted.  There are an amazing collection of water butts of differing sizes, shapes and colours now available.Last week I watered the garden with a watering can filled from the grandchildren's bath.  I remember years ago the shared baths and the hesitancy in siphoning my little brothers' water out of the bath to go onto the garden. 

Philippa Bond ● 1526d

if it's brown flush it down!Apart from the first pees of the morning there is no problem in just flushing the loo less often during the day but do also keep hydrated - and that means drinking water!

Philippa Bond ● 1525d

Well I never knew that.  I have been flushing my loo less often for years.  Unless we have visitors of course.

Maggie Dodge ● 1525d

Unfortunately some people are so self-obsessed that it isn't until they are fined or the stand-pipes go up in the streets that they consider a bigger picture.What happens if there is a hose-pipe ban and the gardener can't water the grass?  Does he/she miss out on being paid and feeding the family?

Philippa Bond ● 1525d

Classic Ken Livingston advice I believe?

Peter King ● 1525d

I never water the grass it will grow back.

Janice Evans ● 1525d

There was a hosepipe ban in 1976 if I recall correctly, but Ihaven't heard anything on the news about one currently in place.

Keith Iddon ● 1525d

Me either, which is crazy

Maggie Dodge ● 1525d

We may be storage and using water better now than in the 70's so there isn't a shortage as there was then.

Keith Iddon ● 1525d

People will continue to be selfish, if you think this is bad then just wait until we run out of drinking water.  I've a disability but still use a watering can on borders and don't water the lawn (it'll grow back).

Juliet Hogg ● 1520d

I think on many issues people dont mind advice but people dont like being told what to do. People say buy a jet wash for a reason,if we have no hose pipe ban i don see how you can tell people to not use it.

Julian Pavey ● 1520d

We’ve been on a water meter for about 6 months. Our bill is a few pounds cheaper. There’s only two of us and we were told to expect big savings. We were obviously being more careful than we thought

Maggie Dodge ● 1520d

You should also be able to tell if and when you have a water leak.

Philippa Bond ● 1520d

I was watching the tv and in Kent water has been cut off to one village for a week. Bottled water has been provided. The residents asked South East water why there was no hose pipe ban? South East water said there is no hose pipe ban and people can use hose pipes. Golf courses are being watered. Paddling pools filled etc. So it must be ok to water gardens. If people use less water the companies will suffer and have put up the price per litre in order to maintain their profits.

Nicholas Beard ● 1520d

Ofwat is unlikely to allow that to happen. The water companies are heavily regulated and get heavily fined.  There is now a new Environment Act which brings in another official body which can now regulate Ofwat as well as the privatised water companies.  Meanwhile there is building going on without enough consideration which is causing problems for established farmers. 

Philippa Bond ● 1519d

Sun's died down somewhat, so going out to water all the plants, flowers, shrubs etc.

Brian Coyle ● 1519d

Yes look after your plants. I found leaving a sprinkler for say 30 mins was sufficient.

Nicholas Beard ● 1519d

It’s best to have plants that can root down and find water and not need hosing all the time. Give up pots and plant direct and they look after themselves.

Vivienne Cox ● 1519d

What’s best, watering pots and tomatoes via a tap and then a watering can, or using a hose via a tap? Or can we only use water butts now? Or is watering plants not allowed at all if it hasn’t rained?Asking for a thirsty tomato. And a pepper or two.

Russell Pearson ● 1519d

Lawns don't need the amount of water that other plants especially in pots will need.  We're usually advised not to water lawns as they recover quickly. We've just been told to be careful.  Hoses and jetwashers can use bathsful of water very quickly. I heard that planting basil beside tomatoes gave you forewarning of the tomato needing water because it wilts earlier.  Uneven amounts of water can make tomatoes split but I'll leave you organise equal amounts of water via rainfall or watering!

Philippa Bond ● 1519d

Russell, tomatoes best watered at the base avoiding wetting the leaves if possible, although that obviously can't be avoided when it rains. Tap water is fine and permissable but remember to feed them every 7-14 days. They do need regular watering and as said by another poster uneven watering periods leads to split fruit.

Bob Guyett ● 1519d