Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

I agree ,although water metering has a number of plus points the one overriding negative point to me is what will it do to the cost .Once the water companies start losing money as a result of people using water more wisely because of metering can only mean prices going up ,variable tariffs being introduced and general mayhem in the industry ,we saw it happen in the gas and electric industries and it will happen in the water industry should metering be compulsory throughout Britain

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

as said above once water cost to families go down by using wisely they will put up prices to get thier profit margin back justifing by need for investment ect

as to hygine yes i could likely manage with half a cup and a bit of soap but the reality is once you start limiting its use by cost the hygine levels will decrease because you will never be able to educate people to the level needed

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

One issue with that comparison is that heating a room with 4 people in it costs about the same as for 1 person, whereas a bath/shower for 4 people is 4 times the usage. Although households with 1 or 2 people should still pay less than a household with 4 or more. Should it be based on the number of adults, like the community charge(aka poll tax)?

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

For singles & couples water meters are ideal due to the price vs rateable value. However, for families with 2 or more children even on standard (non wasteful) use the cost often is higher.

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

While I can see that, on the flip side, I am quite careful about how much water I use. I also don't have a dishwasher.

I pay the same as a family of four, who may also have a dishwasher (even the economy models are apparently less efficient in their use of water than using bowls of water), have a washing machine going most of the time and are heavy users of hoses.

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

The carbon footprint of doing the dishes:
Almost zero CO2e: by hand in cold water (but the plates aren't clean)
540g CO2e: by hand, using water sparingly and not too hot
770g CO2e: in a dishwasher at 55°C
990g CO2e: in a dishwasher at 65°C
8000g CO2e: by hand, with extravagant use of water



Taken from The Guardian

So for a family of 4 a dishwasher is greener & uses LESS water. You cannot compare the use of 1 person washing up in a like for like way with a dishwasher. A couple I know use their dishwasher every 3 days or so. The equivalent to a family of 6.

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

There is a suggestion that it is more efficient to wash a car with a hosepipe fitted with a regulator than by using buckets of water

http://www.waterwise.org.uk/news.php...ose-vs.-bucket

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/extreme-wea...-20120423.html

I predict that we will be told that this won't be enough to drop the hosepipe ban...;)

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

They want another 6 months worth of rain before they call of the drought.

where we gonna find 6 months worth of rain from? summer's just around the corner.

it's all a scam.

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

exactly

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

...and it's a summer with olympics - will stop raining at the end of Sept

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

We're in drought? Wonder how many Africans will be sending us £2 a month... :D

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

I agree and also believe that, such as is the shortage of water and the rising numbers living in the UK that they will consider making the ban permanent, albeit less stringent.

I am lucky as I am exempt from the ban.

PMSL

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

Forgot to say that they are trying out ideas to save water in the short and long term.

Short time eg female urinals in pubs etc

Long term eg washing machines that don't use water.

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17897982

Sigh! I'm now wondering what it is going to be like for May.:(

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

Overcast, with a few sunny intervals.

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

It's supposed to be the coldest May on recor, with heavy snow :erm:

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

I hope not, I'm Best Man on Saturday :)

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

Around here it looks like 9 degrees C, sunny, with showers. So the same as we have had most of April then.

---------- Post added at 18:24 ---------- Previous post was at 18:23 ----------

You are probably right.

In previous years they have said that we will get a hot summer, and got it wrong. So they could be playing it safe this year :D

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

Still in drought, still with a hosepipe ban and water water everywhere...

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

If reservoirs are 100% full then continuing the ban is pointless, because there is nowhere to put the water saved by the ban :rolleyes:

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

As has already been stated, it's not only reservoirs which store and provide our water, the main issue in much of the drought area is the underqround aquifers which serve large parts of the country and are at very low levels. These aquifers rely on winter rains to recharge them, since much of the summer rain is lost to plant growth, evaporation etc. Recharging takes many weeks/months after rain has fallen so the less water taken from these aquifers right now, the better and that's why the hosepipe ban is still important.

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

I understand that. However with the most rain in April for 100 years, and the rivers overflowing, this usually brings the water table up. Especially when it is persistent rain, rather than just downpours over a day or two. It is often the fact that the water table is high, that stops water being absorbed through the ground, and caused the rivers to be so high. After all it isn't like summer floods when the ground is too dry to absorb the water, and it just runs off.

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

This situation makes me laugh, the wettest drought ever.

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

All valid points I'm sure but surely the main reason for the lack of water is the fact Thames water sold of five reservoirs.

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

Added to the 50% of our water they waste through leakage. Caroline Spelman was somewhat reticent about ensuring the water companies sort out their pipes. :dozey:

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

And it seems that the same leaks are highlighted each time we have a drought.

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/lates...rs_closed.aspx

Apparently selling off reservoirs for housing development

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

We had floods locally with the culvert under the road bursting over with water. So much so they blocked one end of the road off. :dozey:

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18032552
So there!

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

untill the sun comes out :)

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

lol

I always felt equal out. We had drought no rain apart from some snow. Its awful full up there with water it will come down at some point.

I will say the rainy season will extend as earth balances.

It might go on for another month yet lots unsettled weather with downpours.

This either means summer will be short or like last year ofset late into winter. Slowly we will just over 2 to 3 years back to normal.

I will say out limb I am sure it had something to do with close asteriod we had although only size of aircraft carrier. If moon can effect our planet why not that asteriod.

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

Like it has today!!!...better put those hosepipes away again :rolleyes:


On a serious note, water companies in some areas cut the mains water pressure a few months ago in order to try and save water. However a serious knock on effect is that fire hydrant pressure has also been reduced, which can cause serious issues for the fire service.

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

Ruins the pressure in the shower as well :(

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

To be honest, I'd be more worried about the fire service not having enough pressure.;)

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

I was joking Tim :D

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

I know you were, hence the ;). But it's not really a joking matter when peoples lives could be lost, whilst others are moaning that they can't wash their cars.

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

I couldn't agree more. Although, with the exception of today, they could have just used one bucket of soapy water and let Mother Nature give the car a four day rinse :D

Re: How stupid is the water ban
 

Don't worry, natures rinses will be available again on Monday :D