Hose pipe bans

Sapindus

Hosepipe bans are a bit like covid lockdowns, it seems. Everyone has a reason why it doesn't apply to them, or it's not legal, or it's pointless, or it won't matter if they break it.

My mother is disabled, lives alone and has vegetables and other plants in pots and raised beds. If you tell her she can't use a hosepipe she would probably try and use a watering can, fall over and end up in hospital.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066147#Comment_82066147

Just to put my mind at rest could you explain why this large front garden needs watering, apart from the fact that you like annoying other people by doing so?

subjecttocontract

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066492#Comment_82066492

That's a rather strange question. Everyone, except you it seems, will know that during hot weather plants will need watering. So, we are able to water plants and annoy the locals in equal measure. Simples.

Undervalued

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066492#Comment_82066492

The whole point of starting this thread was to properly understand the position regarding drip systems. Properly set up these are capable of watering using far less water than any other method. They are widely used in far hotter climates than the UK such as the Middle East.

So far we have established that my water supplier's FAQs contradict themselves. Another authority has a fairly simple list of conditions, one of which is a timer which I don't currently have. However c. 25 quid on Amazon and I would have one tomorrow. My email to my supplier got a generic response with a link to the ambiguous FAQs!

I am not trying to break the rules but I am trying to find out exactly what they are and that, hopefully, the most water efficient possible method is actually legal!

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066585#Comment_82066585

I read the Anglian Water rules for compliant drip systems above that @Martin_the_Unjust kindly posted.

For my own curiosity, it says you need a timer - set to what? 23 hours a day? 20 minutes?

Is the required 'pressure valve' a standard thing, or does there need to be some specification as to what the pressure (presumably reduction) change needs to be?

Undervalued

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066595#Comment_82066595

Timer - quite!

Pressure valve - yes essential. The popular domestic systems just push together and full mains water pressure will blow joints apart! From memory there are a couple of different pressure reducers available for the most popular system. One for small systems and a larger one for big installations.

Apart from animals chewing through pipes to get a drink !! it generally works very well once installed. Best for shrubs and established larger plants and containers. Not great for bedding plants etc as you end up with pipes everywhere!

Dustyevsky

I may be wrong, but I understand from reading catalogues etc, the pressure valve also helps the system to deliver water more equably throughout, so it's advantageous to include it.

Sapindus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066503#Comment_82066503

I'm aware that plants need water but during times of drought they may have to put up with sub-optimal conditions. During a hosepipe ban, using a hosepipe to water gardens is not allowed apart from certain exceptions (based on my supplier Anglian Water). These include newly planted trees, food crops and newly laid turf - where a watering can is not feasible. Blue badge holders are also exempt, presumably because they are often not able to use a watering can. You stated you get the blue badge holder to water "just to annoy the locals", hence my question to see if there were other circumstances which meant you thought that watering this "large front garden" was particularly necessary.

I'd suggest it's morally suitable for a blue badge holder to water with a hosepipe, so long as they restrict this to an amount that an able bodied person would be able to feasibly do with a watering can. If they have any of the other exceptional circumstances, they wouldn't need to rely on the blue badge exemption anyway.

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066670#Comment_82066670

I checked Affinity water central last night for exemptions ( we don't qualify) and there's a bit that says Priority Registered, Blue Badge and people on cheaper water charges due to low income.

I can't work out if it's all of them or any of them that exempt the bill payer from the hose pipe ban.

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066503#Comment_82066503

Well, not all plants need watering.

I have a 100' garden, which is large for suburban areas, with conventional lawn plus planted borders. There is only one plant which I need to water. Once per day. One watering can.

Andy_L

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066104#Comment_82066104

Also fine in Affinity water's region, with the same caveats

https://www.affinitywater.co.uk/hosepipeban-faqs