Confusing hosepipe ban law updated

Date published: 24/10/2007

Householders could face tougher restrictions on using hosepipes when supplies next run low, the Government has announced.

Under the hosepipe ban imposed in many parts of the country last year, residents were prevented from using hosepipes to water their gardens and wash cars but were allowed to use them for other purposes.

But the rules left people confused over what customers were and were not allowed to do.

Milnrow and Newhey MP and Climate Change Minister Phil Woolas has unveiled new powers which would enable water firms to extend hosepipe bans to washing privately-owned boats, cleaning the outside of buildings and filling domestic ponds.

Filling private swimming pools and using hosepipes to clean patios could also be prohibited in times of drought as part of an overhaul of the 62-year-old hosepipe ban law.

Mr Woolas said: "After the appalling floods of 2007 it might be hard to cast your mind back to the real difficulties we faced only a year ago, when 13 million people were affected by hosepipe bans.

"We saw an extreme drought in the South-East, and outdated legislation meant gardeners couldn’t water their plants with a hosepipe but their neighbours could power-wash their patios or fill swimming pools.

"That situation was clearly inconsistent and illogical."

Mr Woolas added: "The new powers will be less rigid, and will allow water companies to take a more flexible approach, applying some or all of the powers according to local circumstances."

He said the top priority was ensuring essential household supplies but people had to face the fact that droughts could be more frequent in the future.

It is hoped the new rules will be in force by next summer.

Water companies will still be able to apply to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to bring in drought orders which further restrict water use if they think it necessary.

The Consumer Council for Water welcomed the updated law.

Policy manager Karen Gibbs said: "Most consumers accept that there are times when restrictions on non-essential use are necessary, but want clear rules in place so they know what they can and can’t do at these times."