Hosepipe spies living next door
More than a third of us would shop a neighbour flouting drought rules
MORE than a third of those living in drought-hit areas would shop a neighbour for breaking the hosepipe ban, a poll has found.
As the restrictions were set to begin at midnight tonight, 36 per cent said they would report those found cheating.
It comes as water companies unveileda ‘three strikes and you’re out’ policy against cheats. Those caught persistently breaching the rules will be served with two official letters before being threatened with criminal proceedings.
Following two years of low rain fall, seven water companies in south and east England – where 20million live – have introduced restrictions which are likely to last all summer. The survey of 1,200 on the website www.hosepipeban.org.uk follows water companies releasing an 11-point diktat of banned activities.
Using a hose or sprinkler is banned for watering plants, washing a car or boat, filling fountains, swimming pools or paddling pools, for recreational use orto clean patios, drive ways or windows. breaches are punishable with a £1,000 fine. Allotments and public parks will be affected by the regulations although special dispensation has been made for rare plants in Kew Gardens in London and for ‘international sporting events’ to allow the Olympic sites to stay green.
However there was confusion last night as loopholes appeared for filling upponds containing rare fish and washing patios and drives fouled by dogs. The most recent major hosepipe ban in 2006 saw widespread accusations of cheating. Thousands were reported to water companies by their neighbours or served with ‘ yellow card’ letters warning them to obey the law, but only one person was prosecuted.
A Thames Water spokesman said: ‘We are relying on people understanding a quiet word with their neighbour if they are not doing so.
‘But if we do get confirmation that someone is breaching the ban there will be a letter, and if they persist they will be sent another letter warning that it is a criminal offence. It is three strikes and you’re out.’
Anglian Water has set up a hotline for reporting those who flout the ban and said those who are reported will be spoken to by a representative.
Sutton and East Surrey Water and Southeast water have said offenders will receive letters or a visit from an inspector.
Hundreds of parents took to the website Mumsnet to compare notes about beating the ban.
One user planned to ‘fill the hottub and get that up and running’ hours before restrictions began.
Dozens commented on a question about whether to fill children’s paddling pools now to use during the summer. One said: ‘You’ll have to be aware of idiotic neighbours who might decide to report you for using your own water – will the water people believe that you filled the pool months ago?’
A keen gardener wrote: ‘I have a large vegetable patch which is going to be a nightmare to water with watering cans. watering vegetables is for food, it should be allowed!’
Some attacked water companies for failing to fix leaks, which lost 300million gallons a day last year.
Despite a surprise drizzly afternoon yesterday, the past two weeks have seen hardly any rainfall in the South and East, with this March being the sunniest on record. Fifteen counties from the south-eastcoast up to yorkshire are now officially in drought.
Levels of groundwater, which is needed to fill underground aquifers, are low at the majority of sites measured by the Environment Agency, and it is feared that the drought zone could extend further towards the Southwest by the summer.
Experts say that if there is below-average rainfall again next winter, for the third year in a row, the pressure on supplies could become desperate.
Professor Colin Green, an expert in water economics at Middlesex University, said that with increasing population pressure in the South East making droughts more likely, water companies may have to introduce financial incentives to make the public and businesses use less water.