Latest news with #hosepipeban
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
I'm watering my lawn during the hosepipe ban but fear my neighbour seeing: I get so many letters like this, says lawyer DEAN DUNHAM. Do you know the risk you're taking? This is how your water company will find out
What will happen if I use a hose to water my garden during the hosepipe ban? Could I really be penalised and if so what's the worst that could happen? Will I only be found out if my neighbour reports me or are there other ways that the Government or water suppliers can check? D.L., By email.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
No fines for breaking hosepipe ban in last five years, Southern Water says
Southern Water has not handed out any fines for breaching the restrictions of hosepipe bans in the last five years. Following the driest spring in over 100 years and hottest June on record, a temporary use ban was put in place on Monday, July 21, with the public being told to refrain from using hosepipes for tasks such as watering gardens, filling paddling pools, or washing cars. Those who break these rules can be fined up to £1,000 by Southern Water under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. But a spokesperson for the utility company said "formal enforcement has not been required" so far, during the current ban and the previous in 2022. READ MORE: 6 rules you need to follow during Hampshire hosepipe ban to avoid £1,000 fine They said: "This year's hosepipe ban is the first since 2022, which in turn was the first in 10 years. Formal enforcement has not been required as yet. "Our priority has been on working together with our community to bring down water use, and we would like to thank our customers for their support. "We are confident this support will continue, to keep taps flowing and to protect our environment."
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Climate
- Telegraph
How to water your garden during a drought
Our gardens have been far from tranquil and relaxing during these intense periods of hot weather. Even in the shade, there can be little comfort found during the day, making gardens uncomfortable for us, let alone our plants. Watering can seem relentless, and with a heightened awareness of the scarcity of this resource – particularly due to the hosepipe bans that are in place in parts of the country – how do we water wisely to keep our plants healthy, while avoiding unnecessarily high water bills? Here's some advice to keep in mind. Greenhouses The greenhouse is one of the most difficult parts of your garden to manage during the high summer, requiring regular attention. The past few weekends have seen the greenhouses at West Dean reach over 40C, making even the cactus squint. In high summer, if plants are grown in containers, they should if possible be moved out of these hot houses into a shady part of the garden, to prevent them from drying out. If plants are to be kept in your greenhouse, then water first thing in the morning, and saturate the roots to hydrate them for the day ahead. A second watering during the early evening will help to reinvigorate your plant to avoid unnecessary stress, as temperatures remain high into the evening. Avoid watering your tomatoes in the evening, however, as damp foliage at night can cause perfect conditions for blight. Fruiting crops such as aubergines, tomatoes and peppers dislike fluctuating moisture levels as it can affect the development of the fruit; more consistent moisture level at the root will produce healthier plants and fruit. Cooling the temperatures down in your greenhouse can be achieved by painting a shading product onto the outside of the glass, which will reduce the amount of heat and light that enters the structure, resulting in the plants lasting longer between watering. Heat stress Plants can wilt from heat stress in the summer due to the warm temperatures, but can be moist at the root. Use your finger, and insert it into the root ball to detect any moisture levels. On hot days, if some of your plants are wilting, yet there is moisture at the root, they will soon recover when temperatures cool. Avoid adding more moisture to the root ball if it is saturated already, as extra watering will only cause more stress to the plant, and will potentially kill it. Grouping pots Grouping pots together will help to make watering more time efficient, with the extra humidity caused by dense foliage helping plants through tough times. During spells of particularly hot weather, move pots away from their sun-baked spots to areas in the shade, to help plants survive these difficult times. These periods of intense heat will damage most plants, but once the worst is over, it can be business as usual, and you can return them to their original spot. Acers in pots are especially vulnerable and should be protected. The damage comes from two fronts: scorched foliage by the sun and drying winds, coupled with high temperatures within the pot, causing root damage. Acers in pots are best placed in a sheltered, shady spot in the garden, and not allowed to dry out during the summer. Group plants with similar requirements together to help with your watering routine, and to avoid accidentally watering plants that don't require it; succulents and Mediterranean herbs will require less water than bedding plants, for instance, so group the pots of thirsty plants together. Top-dressing your containers with bark or gravel that is several centimetres deep, will also slow down evaporation; water well before applying the mulch. For large containers that cannot be moved into the shade, try draping an old net curtain or horticultural fleece over the plant, which will filter the light and reduce evaporation during times of excessive heat. How to water When it comes to a watering technique, most of the water is required at the root, not all over the leaves. A watering can is an efficient way to water your plants, as the amount of water that you apply can be easily controlled. Watering with a hosepipe – where it is allowed – can save time, but it is harder to gauge how much water you are applying. You'll be surprised how much water is given to a plant by just a few seconds from a hosepipe. To understand how much water you are giving your plant through a hosepipe, get a feel for how long you water the plant, and then hold that hosepipe over a bucket for the same amount of time. The amount of water that you are giving your plant will be visible within the bucket (you may be surprised by the high volume of water you are applying). Moreover, most of this water will drain out of the base of the pot and be wasted. Containers can be placed in a saucer, which will act as a reservoir to be utilised by the plants during hot spells. Automatic systems Irrigation techniques cover a vast spectrum: from an upside-down plastic drinks bottle with the bottom removed and filled with water as a reservoir, right the way through to soaker hoses on a timer, or a remotely monitored watering system controlled by an app. The most effective and efficient way to irrigate your plants is through a drip irrigation system, which pumps water through pipework to nozzles that are inserted into a root ball. This delivers water gradually, to meet the plant's needs with no wastage. Ultimately, there are pros and cons for automated systems, and they suit some people more than others. The level of sophistication that is delivered with these systems is also wide-ranging, as is the budget required to purchase them. I discovered that a solar-powered system that drew water from a recycled bottle from a water dispenser (the ones you find in an office), worked incredibly well and cost less than £50. Lawns In all honesty, it's very hard to maintain grass without copious amounts of water during prolonged periods of hot and dry weather. Tougher grasses will recover in the main, but finer lawns may suffer. Weeds tend to be more resilient than turf, with deeper roots, so they can make your lawn look untidy. Simply mow the tops off, avoiding damaging the grass by cutting with a higher-set blade. Scarify in the autumn to remove thatch and promote a more robust turf, or consider leaving some areas to grow long. Well-kept lawns are becoming increasingly hard to maintain and justify in such conditions; it's not what everyone likes to hear, but I'm afraid it's a harsh reality.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Sunken structure warning as reservoir levels fall
Sightseers have been warned to keep to paths around reservoirs as previously sunken structures become exposed due to falling water levels. Yorkshire Water's Alastair Harvey also said that while taking a dip in reservoirs during hot weather may seem enticing for some, it also brought danger and should not be risked. The firm announced a hosepipe ban earlier in July and said reservoir levels stood at just over 50% - "significantly below" the average for early July, which is nearer 80%. "We'd advise sticking to the walking routes on public footpaths and don't be tempted to go for a dip in the shallows or walk on the newly exposed embankment, as there can be risks of sinking mud," Mr Harvey said. Yorkshire Water owns and manages about 120 reservoirs, including Langsett Reservoir near Barnsley, Ogden Reservoir in Halifax and Doe Park Reservoir in Bradford. Baitings Reservoir near Ripponden is notable for its sunken bridge but the firm warned it should not be crossed. Similarly, Thruscross Reservoir near Harrogate hides the submerged village of West End, which is visible when water levels drop but should only be viewed from a distance and not approached. Mr Harvey reiterated previous warning about not swimming in reservoirs, citing cold water shock, underwater hazards and more. "Sadly, we've seen incidents in Yorkshire when people have lost their lives in reservoirs and other open water," he said. Over the summer, Yorkshire Water's ranger teams will be engaging with reservoir visitors on water safety, providing information about the sites and encouraging people to follow the Countryside Code. The company has asked people to refrain from using disposable barbecues or starting fires and has asked visitors to take litter home and keep dogs on leads, especially around livestock. "We want people across Yorkshire and beyond to enjoy our reservoirs and surrounding countryside, but it's important that people consider their behaviours and do not take risks that could impact the local natural environment and wildlife, or that puts them in harm's way," Mr Harvey said. The firm said anti-social behaviour should be reported to the police and anyone who saw a fire or someone in need of help to call 999. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North More stories like this Hosepipe ban remains despite heavy rainfall Disabilities, paddling pools and other hosepipe ban questions answered UK's first hosepipe ban 'to last until winter' Related internet links Yorkshire Water
BBC News
3 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Yorkshire Water reservoir visitors warned to keep to paths
Sightseers have been warned to keep to paths around reservoirs as previously sunken structures become exposed due to falling water Water's Alastair Harvey also said that while taking a dip in reservoirs during hot weather may seem enticing for some, it also brought danger and should not be firm announced a hosepipe ban earlier in July and said reservoir levels stood at just over 50% - "significantly below" the average for early July, which is nearer 80%."We'd advise sticking to the walking routes on public footpaths and don't be tempted to go for a dip in the shallows or walk on the newly exposed embankment, as there can be risks of sinking mud," Mr Harvey said. Yorkshire Water owns and manages about 120 reservoirs, including Langsett Reservoir near Barnsley, Ogden Reservoir in Halifax and Doe Park Reservoir in Bradford. Baitings Reservoir near Ripponden is notable for its sunken bridge but the firm warned it should not be Thruscross Reservoir near Harrogate hides the submerged village of West End, which is visible when water levels drop but should only be viewed from a distance and not approached. Mr Harvey reiterated previous warning about not swimming in reservoirs, citing cold water shock, underwater hazards and more."Sadly, we've seen incidents in Yorkshire when people have lost their lives in reservoirs and other open water," he the summer, Yorkshire Water's ranger teams will be engaging with reservoir visitors on water safety, providing information about the sites and encouraging people to follow the Countryside company has asked people to refrain from using disposable barbecues or starting fires and has asked visitors to take litter home and keep dogs on leads, especially around livestock."We want people across Yorkshire and beyond to enjoy our reservoirs and surrounding countryside, but it's important that people consider their behaviours and do not take risks that could impact the local natural environment and wildlife, or that puts them in harm's way," Mr Harvey firm said anti-social behaviour should be reported to the police and anyone who saw a fire or someone in need of help to call 999. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
