What is a Hosepipe Ban?
A hosepipe ban is a restriction on outdoor water usage. Hosepipe bans are also known as water usage restrictions or outdoor water-use restrictions. The goal of a hosepipe ban is to conserve water by asking all citizens to use less water on a daily basis, thereby ensuring that there will be available water for firefighting, environmental remediation, and home use such as drinking and bathing. Typically, a hosepipe is ordered by the regional government. In some cases, outdoor water usage is banned entirely, but more commonly, it is simply severely restricted. For example, people may be asked to use outdoor water pipes only during the morning and afternoon, when water loss through evaporation is reduced, or people may be allowed to water on alternate days. Some regions institute watering schedules like an even/odd schedule, in which people in odd numbered houses may water on certain days, and even numbered houses may water on others. Hosepipe bans apply to watering the garden, washing car
A hosepipe ban is a British term for a restriction placed on the customers of a water company to prevent them from using hosepipes, particularly for watering their gardens. The provider sometimes states that their customers are not allowed to use a sprinkler or unattended hosepipe for a few days (or longer), though commonly a total ban is enacted. Commercial customers are usually exempt in order to prevent loss of earnings or other such problems. The water industry usually places such restrictions on their customers during droughts or when the reservoirs supplying the water are becoming empty. However, they have faced stiff criticism after reports of excessive leakages along the pipe system. Customers that ignore the ban are usually warned and, in the UK, can face a fine of up to £1000. This power was given to the companies by the Water Industry Act 1991. A ban is currently in-force in some parts of Southern England, due to the warm summer and low precipitation level.
In parts of the UK where there is a water shortage special rules are brought in to help people use less water. The best known of these is a hosepipe ban. It means you can’t use a hose or sprinkler to water your garden or wash your car. You can still use watering cans and buckets. In a normal hosepipe ban the rules only apply to private gardens, so places like parks and golf courses can still use sprinklers. It’s also okay to top up a pond or swimming pool in your garden. What if someone breaks the rules? The companies that supply water expect everyone to follow the rules and save water, if they don’t it’s taken very seriously. Ignoring the ban can get you a 1,000 fine.
