Hosepipe Ban Remains

OK, so perhaps like me, many of you are somewhat confused about how a hosepipe ban can still be in place after the weeks of rainfall we’ve experienced in April. I even recall we had the equivalent of a month’s worth of rainfall over just 24 hours. So why are we still technically in ‘drought’ and why is there still a hosepipe ban?

It has been the wettest April for over 100 years with many areas even experiencing severe flooding. Despite the rain being beneficial to farmers, gardeners and wildlife in the rivers, it is still not enough to fill depleted groundwater stocks. The groundwater stocks remain lower than normal on account of the past two ‘drier than normal’ winters we’ve experienced. During winter the air is obviously cooler so water/rainfall does not evaporate easily and there is less vegetation and plant life that requires the water to live; because of this rainfall is more easily ‘stocked’. Alternatively during spring and summer, the air is warmer and the water more easily evaporates and is also used up by the increase in seasonal plants and vegetation.

So despite calls that we’re in for a very wet May as well it is very likely that the current ban will stay in place for the remainder of the year. There is a lot of helpful and up to date information that can be found here: http://www.hosepipeban.org.uk/

Peter, one of our customers sent in his helpful tip about how he’s beating the hose pipe ban:

I have a Karcher pressure washer that was going to be retired this year because the hose pipe ban.

These power washers do not need a pressure hose from the mains to operate. Just a bucket, watering can or water butt is needed. As a pressure washer only uses ¼ the water of a hose to wash your car it is ideal way to keep your car (or patio or anything sparkling clean).

Be sure to put some mesh on the end of the hose going into the butt to stop leaves etc. being sucked through the machine. I used a bird feeder as per photo below.

Tags: Hosepipe Ban