Hosepipe ban
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A hosepipe ban is 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.
External links
- [Discussion Forums regarding the UK water shortage and hosepipe bans] at forum.hosepipeban.org.uk
- [Information on current restrictions in the UK] at www.beatthedrought.com
- [Questions about the unattended hosepipe ban] at Mid Kent Water
- [Down the drain], looking at the leaks in the system owned by Thames Water. The Daily Telegraph, 10 July 2005
- [Water firms missing leak targets]. BBC News, 14 July 2005.
- [Hosepipe and sprinkler restrictions]. Southern Water.
- [Water Industry Act 1991]
- [Guide to water industry] with water saving tips, restriction information and news.
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