2022 Frugal Living Challenge

2Scratters

@JinJinBlue definitely not tight its not wasting any opportunity to make good use. We are fortunate DH built a large workshop/shed and have made our own diverter into 250 ltr tank. I wish I could send some of the collected to those who need it as we have been blessed good doses of rain in this temperature and I have stored some now in buckets too. As we have a very old cistern (60s/70s ) it already had a pack in it to reduce water, I have recently added another to it to see if it saves more and it still is good enough for waste too. I also throw the washing up water onto the grass. I don't worry about the bits as we have plenty of birds who visit our garden and a dog that likes to hoover up too
I intend to save up before I totally retire and make another purchase of water butt a posh one this time. It holds 850 ltrs and is a stack system and will use this to collect off the down spout from the house roof. They come in different colours too found them on FB market place and are made in the UK.
Personally the water companies need to work with the councils or get sub contractors to ensure the road gullies and drains are clear of grit. Same for the waterways too needing dredging. We are as a nation missing the opportunities of collecting this vital free resource. 
I think this becomes more obvious when you have a water meter and look at ways to be more resourceful.
Have a good weekend Peeps.

2 Scratters xx

MazzieD

joedenise said:

MazzieD said:

Well we are getting a Hosepipe Ban here from next Friday - 5 August (Southern Water).  Not a surprise, we have all received a request to conserve water already.  I don't have a hosepipe, just a very empty water butt - can't remember the last time it rained as it really has been quite a while.

I don't know if this has officially been confirmed but the date of the October Energy Price Cap increase announcement from Ofgem seems to be 27 August.  Mind you they brought the date forward last time so around that date!.

I'm in the Southern Water region but I haven't heard anything about a hosepipe ban.  Where did you hear this?  I'm not surprised about the ban but haven't heard about it.  I had a letter today from Southern Water but there was no mention in that.

Southern Water made an official announcement yesterday lunchtime, it was all over the internet news sites.  I live in Hampshire and doubt that most people know about it yet unless they look at sites like MSN or whatever you get from your browser when you go on-line.  Expecting another leaflet with the post any day now.

joedenise

joedenise said:

joedenise said:

MazzieD said:

Well we are getting a Hosepipe Ban here from next Friday - 5 August (Southern Water).  Not a surprise, we have all received a request to conserve water already.  I don't have a hosepipe, just a very empty water butt - can't remember the last time it rained as it really has been quite a while.

I don't know if this has officially been confirmed but the date of the October Energy Price Cap increase announcement from Ofgem seems to be 27 August.  Mind you they brought the date forward last time so around that date!.

I'm in the Southern Water region but I haven't heard anything about a hosepipe ban.  Where did you hear this?  I'm not surprised about the ban but haven't heard about it.  I had a letter today from Southern Water but there was no mention in that.

I've just had a look at the Southern Water website and see that it only applies to Hampshire and Isle of Wight.  I'm in a different area which is probably why I hadn't heard anything!

As I put in my 2nd post I had a look at the Southern Water website and saw where it was affecting.  I hadn't actually seen any news either online or on TV.  I suspect it won't be long before there are hosepipe bans in all of the South East.

Primrose

As we have a vegetable patch to water and can't afford to lose them, if necessary we will top up our water butts with a hosepipe fist  if a ban is imposed as we,re not on a water meter.

i think all new build home should be obliged to fit an additional  tank in the house roof to collect rainwater for loo flushing, as well as having off road parking so vehicles can charge electric cars.  I can,t understand why the government is dragging its heels on such matters.  If this country was on a war footing, such measures could be put through Parliament and agreed within days yet they spend  hours arguing about  other issues which  have no impact on the daily infrastructure issues whixh affect everybody's' lives. 

ladyholly

I dont understand why the government isnt supporting public transport more. I am not talking about rail strikes etc but environmentally it is surely much better for 30 people to get a bus rather than have 30 cars on the road. I do understand that it iisnt suitable for everyone. Our local company has just cut 5 routes in our area including the one to our local hospital. My local bus ends for the day at about 5.40 from the town centre to the outskirts of the town ( distance just under three and and a half miles). Not even sutaible for many working people . Evening trips are simply impossible. No going out for a meal, the theatre, cinema or even to our sea front for a walk unless you drive or use a taxi.

nannygladys

JinJinblue - I'm another one who saves water for the garden and loo. I've been doing this for the last year so it's second nature now and it's surprising how much I use (I live in my own) but I have cut down a lot now.

-taff

@JinJinBlue me too, although so far, it's just the large jug by the sink for washing hands into, or the bowl. This all goes on to the flowers and stuff out the front. I'm thinking of future ideas to save the grey water completely which will also make the bills cheaper.

Debsnewbudget

I have used my Boots points to pay for some holiday stuff and my Nectar points to pay for new T Shirts,  I often forget I have got the points, so was pleased to use them this week.

nmaria

Very happy that we finally had some rain. Everything is behind in the garden/ allotment. 

Have had a bumper crop of cucumbers so far and tomatoes are changing colour now. Have had lots of lettuce and plums. 

Made jam from all the berries. Ran out of jars😢
need to be more organised with collecting jars but realised that I don’t buy any jar food other than mince meat at Christmas….

MazzieD

Hosepipe Ban is not going down well here.  The local media are making a huge issue out of it because Southern Water are one of the five worst water companies for fixing water leaks which would save far more water than a hosepipe ban. They get fined/told off by OFWAT quite regularly. I know Wessex Water and Thames Water are also on the list but not sure who the other two companies are.   

There was a huge outcry from domestic customers about 7 years ago as water meters were made compulsory (not sure if just Hampshire or possibly more local) which I suspect cut down hosepipe use quite a bit anyway.   Probably more newsworthy as it's the first ban, seems to be national coverage as well.