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Hosepipe ban, why is this not nationwide?

(11 Posts)
Iam64 Thu 25-Jun-26 19:25:17

My mother’s response to water shortages in the south was - well we’ve suffered for our water, why should we share it with them
She was a Liberal not a socialist 🌞

Padstow13 Thu 25-Jun-26 19:20:52

The North West has had more rain than it knows really what to do with. The South East, by contrast, has the most intense concentration of population in the UK plus the Kent coast is the favoured drop-off point for the small boats, increasing the population by leaps and bounds and thus generating further demand on an over-subscribed supply.

And privatised water companies have delivered next to nothing as regards improving infrastructure.

But the shareholders are probably happy.

Witzend Thu 25-Jun-26 19:09:53

Oreo

It was a very wet Winter in most places so maybe a hosepipe ban unnecessary?

Yes, we had what seemed like endless rain here for weeks and weeks on end. Should at least have topped up the water table, wherever that may be.

nanaK54 Thu 25-Jun-26 19:05:17

If the truth were known there is not a water shortage in the South East either...don't take my word for it check the reservoir levels if you feel so inclined.

Problem is that due to lack of investment in infrastructure South East Water can't treat and pump enough water to their customers...can you tell that I am one such customer!

argymargy Thu 25-Jun-26 17:34:24

I wonder how you can have lived long enough to be a gran and not understand that different parts of the UK have different weather?

Doodledog Thu 25-Jun-26 17:22:29

Oreo

It was a very wet Winter in most places so maybe a hosepipe ban unnecessary?

Yes, it's one of the few advantages to living in a wet climate. Not great when there is drizzle all summer, but at least we don't run out of water.

LOUISA1523 Thu 25-Jun-26 17:17:14

It's not needed in many places....I'm NW...can't remember our last one? ...my mums north Yorkshire...she had one most of last summer ( she had an exemption due to her age so wasn't an issue)

Iam64 Thu 25-Jun-26 16:24:04

I’m north west with higher rainfall than the south east. Our reservoirs are ok. As Casdon posted, we don’t have a national water supply

Casdon Thu 25-Jun-26 16:15:43

It’s not necessary, because there isn’t a national water grid, water delivery systems between different areas of the country are not connected, and not everybody has supply issues. We in Wales don’t pipe water to Kent for example, although we do supply a lot of water to Birmingham. I just checked and it says our water supply is currentlyin a strong, stable position.

Oreo Thu 25-Jun-26 16:10:04

It was a very wet Winter in most places so maybe a hosepipe ban unnecessary?

faringdon59 Thu 25-Jun-26 16:01:20

I saw on the lunchtime news that a hosepipe ban is being introduced in the South East, Kent I think?
Why, when we are on Red Alert for heat is this not being rolled out nationwide, as soon as the Mt office issues the alerts?
Also back in the hot Summer of 1976 we had all sorts of notices/signage up that water was a scarcity, but not now.
Any thoughts on this?