Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: steve123 on February 20, 2012, 07:07:05 am
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It looks fairly serious in the east this year and I see no way of us avoiding a hose pipe ban and most likely a drought order.
How do we stand as far as the law?
Has anyone such as the fed done any work to find out our rights?
Will I need to break out the ladders?
Will one man bands fair differently to those who employ?
Where do I go to answer these and loads more questions I have?
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Its different for people registered for commercial usage
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not necessarily there has already been talk of restrictions for business
usage in the south east and if drought orders are issued ib certain areas and
domestic customers have water restrictions put in place .cleaning windows
by splashing water about will pee customers off no matter how you try to reason it.
glad i live in the seven trent catchment area where it has already been decided
there wont be any hosepipe bans this year ;D
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The sickening thing about this is that plenty of water falls on the UK. We just don't catch enough of it. Add the billions of litres that are lost daily through leaks and no wonder they can drum up a shortage and blame us.
UK suffers from a chronic shortage of investment in infrastructure. Roads, railways (spending the whold budget on a new line from London to Brum), water, even mobile phone networks are better in Germany than here. It's all about squeezing the max from the consumer whilst keeping supply at one notch above chaos levels. Not surprising when our utilities are maily french and german-owned. And don't forget that the population has increased by 10% in the past 20 years whilst the supply has stayed virtually the same.
And as usual Mrs Bloggs will be hydrating her roses with bathwater in May and we'll be the new Satan. At least you boys can trad. Not easy to trad a wheelie bin >:(
And the twenty trillion litres of water that should be sat safely in non-existant reservoirs will be diluting the North Sea.
Does anyone remember the time when water was unmetered and included in the rates? A lot of extra money has been extracted from us since they started charging, and in return for some pretty amazing bonuses for the water companies and their shareholders - I'll bet they're glad we're all after the bankers.
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just carry on as normal.if there becomes a drought order you could just clean upper windows with the pole and trad the rest.
dont worry what people will think.most people wont say a word as they know you need to make a living.
hose pipe bans dont affect business.a drought order could but i would flout the law anyway and just carry on and use as sparingly as possible.
youll never be so grateful as when your working in the rain from now on!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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just carry on as normal.if there becomes a drought order you could just clean upper windows with the pole and trad the rest.
dont worry what people will think.most people wont say a word as they know you need to make a living.
hose pipe bans dont affect business.a drought order could but i would flout the law anyway and just carry on and use as sparingly as possible.
youll never be so grateful as when your working in the rain from now on!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
i do wish you would stop reassuring people on here...its so much more entertaining
watching the panickers flap their wings ;D
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just carry on as normal.if there becomes a drought order you could just clean upper windows with the pole and trad the rest.
dont worry what people will think.most people wont say a word as they know you need to make a living.
hose pipe bans dont affect business.a drought order could but i would flout the law anyway and just carry on and use as sparingly as possible.
youll never be so grateful as when your working in the rain from now on!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
i do wish you would stop reassuring people on here...its so much more entertaining
watching the panickers flap their wings ;D
Gary I am not panicking, I just want to know where I stand legally so I can be prepared. I don't want to find myself in a position where I am wondering how I should proceed, instead I want to be ready with a plan on how I continue to trade if the water companies declare a drought order.
So my question is.... has anyone in this industry actually looked into the legal requirements of how we can or can not operate if it were to happen. and if so where is the information?
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A drought order doesn't affect registered businesses. But as most of us are not registered as business users with the water company now we are already breaking the rules and liable to be fined.
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http://www.stwater.co.uk/conWebDoc/2196
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just carry on as normal.if there becomes a drought order you could just clean upper windows with the pole and trad the rest.
dont worry what people will think.most people wont say a word as they know you need to make a living.
hose pipe bans dont affect business.a drought order could but i would flout the law anyway and just carry on and use as sparingly as possible.
youll never be so grateful as when your working in the rain from now on!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
i do wish you would stop reassuring people on here...its so much more entertaining
watching the panickers flap their wings ;D
Gary I am not panicking, I just want to know where I stand legally so I can be prepared. I don't want to find myself in a position where I am wondering how I should proceed, instead I want to be ready with a plan on how I continue to trade if the water companies declare a drought order.
So my question is.... has anyone in this industry actually looked into the legal requirements of how we can or can not operate if it were to happen. and if so where is the information?
the answer is you adapt and even if it means and i know its a swear word for most of us
me included use ladders and pick up a squeegee if worse comes to worst you do whats necessary
to keep going
simple really isnt it :)
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A drought order doesn't affect registered businesses. But as most of us are not registered as business users with the water company now we are already breaking the rules and liable to be fined.
I dont want to sound like an idiot here (although i am ;D) but if im on a meter surely im paying for what i use anyaway? whats the difference? it costs them the same to supply me with water as the chinese takeaway down the road?
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Think some investigation is reqd as government have or were looking to change the rules >:( >:(
Not sure if it has been 'signed off' yet they looked at amending policy in 2007. With a drought order their intentions are to stop use of WFP and pressure washers even if you are a business.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Thewiderenvironment/Climatechange/DG_196517
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i will fill my tank up with water from a large stream ;D then di vessel it also collect rain water at all frainds and familys hoses lol anyway i bath every day and im fat so i wreken i get through 200 litres bath water everyday :P well thats what id say haha
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For all window cleaners
Yes the FWC is looking it to this again
I belive it might it more areas than expected
We are allready in talks with the effected areas
We might need window cleaners to do a phone survey
Bryan
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Every year we get this in the south east and every year some joker comes on here and tries to troll and wind people up.
Given that the water companies lose 20% or so of the water thru leaky pipes due to underinvestment yet still pay billions out to shareholders they wouldn't dare drive us under.
Are u aware that even under a drought order you can still a swimming pool or hose down garden furniture? Put the furniture on the lawn and water the grass ;D
I've not a single customer mown about water usage.
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Think some investigation is reqd as government have or were looking to change the rules >:( >:(
Not sure if it has been 'signed off' yet they looked at amending policy in 2007. With a drought order their intentions are to stop use of WFP and pressure washers even if you are a business.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Thewiderenvironment/Climatechange/DG_196517
It says 'using a hosepipe to clean windows' not wfp
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somthing we dont have to worry about up here we are not standing but swimming in the rain hardly had a dry day since oct ;D but i was wondering could you use sea water then purify that through a ro bit of pain but a least you could work
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I have been window cleaning over 6 years now, and every year this subject comes up on the forum.
It has never effected us, and I don't think it ever will.
Andy
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If anyone asks just tell 'em you are using rainwater :P ;D
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i will fill my tank up with water from a large stream ;D then di vessel it also collect rain water at all frainds and familys hoses lol anyway i bath every day and im fat so i wreken i get through 200 litres bath water everyday :P well thats what id say haha
Well technically, the water company owns all the water in its area irrespective of where it comes from or how it got there. So all the schemes come to a sticky end.
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A drought order doesn't affect registered businesses. But as most of us are not registered as business users with the water company now we are already breaking the rules and liable to be fined.
I dont want to sound like an idiot here (although i am ;D) but if im on a meter surely im paying for what i use anyaway? whats the difference? it costs them the same to supply me with water as the chinese takeaway down the road?
I don't know, I have always avoided talking to the water company about it. For obvious reasons
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has anyone see what the boss of thames water earns a year ::)
£800000
alright for someone who cannot do his job >:(
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It would cause serious financial consequences for me if I can't use WFP. If I dwell on it too much, very dark thoughts enter my mind. Scary stuff.
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It mentions on southern water site about use of waterfedpole ,I'm not sure I read it correct but I think its ok to use unless its the last level of drought ?
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Bit worrying as these normally start in the summer.
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For everbody
It is southern water get on there web site for info
They are doing a eight week consultation period
Bryan
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What info did you see about wfp, as I was unsure on southern water
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I was a little unclear too as it says
phase 1 - Cleaning domestic windows, walls, or patios with a hosepipe
phase 2 - Cleaning windows at commercial buildings
phase 3 - Cleaning windows on non-domestic buildings by small businesses using water-fed poles
not sure where we would stand.
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The sickening thing about this is that plenty of water falls on the UK. We just don't catch enough of it. Add the billions of litres that are lost daily through leaks and no wonder they can drum up a shortage and blame us.
UK suffers from a chronic shortage of investment in infrastructure. Roads, railways (spending the whold budget on a new line from London to Brum), water, even mobile phone networks are better in Germany than here. It's all about squeezing the max from the consumer whilst keeping supply at one notch above chaos levels. Not surprising when our utilities are maily french and german-owned. And don't forget that the population has increased by 10% in the past 20 years whilst the supply has stayed virtually the same.
And as usual Mrs Bloggs will be hydrating her roses with bathwater in May and we'll be the new Satan. At least you boys can trad. Not easy to trad a wheelie bin >:(
And the twenty trillion litres of water that should be sat safely in non-existant reservoirs will be diluting the North Sea.
Does anyone remember the time when water was unmetered and included in the rates? A lot of extra money has been extracted from us since they started charging, and in return for some pretty amazing bonuses for the water companies and their shareholders - I'll bet they're glad we're all after the bankers.
Scoop does your unit not recycle water ?? thks Mike
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tell them Its rainwater ??? in a drought ????? ::)
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Yes why not? It has been raining we are not living ina desert it's just not enough rain for the ineeficient collection system.
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Scoop does your unit not recycle water ?? thks Mike
Yes it does. Basically all bin cleaners should have a system that transfers clean water to dirty tank throughout the day, or a single tank where the water is 'Smirnoffed' (Triple-filtered) and reused. The idea is that this keeps the not inconsiderable filth from wheelie bins out of the surface water drains which then run into streams, rivers etc.
But at the end of the day I have to chuck that water away down a foul (sewage) drain so I'm still using 500 litres a day which puts me in the same boat as everyone else.
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Put hand behind back and cross fingers.
Well sir, every week I drive to Wales/Scotland/Cumbria/Cornwall* and fill my van tank with the plentiful water that is to be found there. I then pump it through a special softening system to your windows.
Uncross fingers.
*whichever is closest.
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surely they thought about this at the time they wanted us to convert from traditional methods of cleaning?? I shall carry on as normal regardless
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http://www.bwca.co.uk/news.html
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Scoop does your unit not recycle water ?? thks Mike
Yes it does. Basically all bin cleaners should have a system that transfers clean water to dirty tank throughout the day, or a single tank where the water is 'Smirnoffed' (Triple-filtered) and reused. The idea is that this keeps the not inconsiderable filth from wheelie bins out of the surface water drains which then run into streams, rivers etc.
But at the end of the day I have to chuck that water away down a foul (sewage) drain so I'm still using 500 litres a day which puts me in the same boat as everyone else.
I see ..
Have you got any details on the filtration part of the system ? especially what size it filters down to... microns ... would appreciate anything u have.
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you just need to use less water;start by just rubbing windows with water off.
then any windows with net curtains or frosted glass just wet them a bit
use less and it will go further and if you have any herberts that take half an hour in the shower
get them out faster :D
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Can you imagine if it does happen?......
Episode V The Tradder strikes back! ;D
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I see ..
Have you got any details on the filtration part of the system ? especially what size it filters down to... microns ... would appreciate anything u have.
I put the bins into a fibreglass insert in the back of my van (Citroen Relay) - it fits two side by side. The water tank is under the bins.
Water runs from the pressure washer out of the bins and through a rough wire screen. This catches all the 'big bits' (nappies, condoms, used tampon applicators, syringes, crack pipes etc) which are usually stuck to the side of the bin. Strained water goes straight back into tank.
Pressure washer inlet is a hose with a nylon lantern filter on it (400 micron). This used to get clogged very quickly so I added a cylindrical wire mesh over it (about 8" diameter by 2ft long which I cover with the leg off an old pair of tights (not mine - they'd be too big ;D). This gets rid of 95% of fine particles and because the filter is large it doesn't get clogged. Cover the rough edges of the wire filter with tape before you put the tights on it to avoid 'laddering' them.
This then runs to a 100 micron glass bowl filter which is in a handy place for me to keep and eye on it and clean it out when needed (usually about 50 bins). There is a final Y intake 100 micron mesh strainer which I clean about once a month - hardly anything in it as the glass bowl has already taken the 100 micron particles out.
In spite of this you are always running the pump on dirty water as anything less than 100 microns gets through. So as time goes by you will need a new pump - it's not like jetting with fresh tapwater. Friend of mine has designed his with 800 litre clean water tank and then a 600 litre dirty water tank so no need for filtration, but you need a much bigger van :)
All filters available from Exchange Engineering in Grantham - phone them and they'll send you a catalogue - 01476 578505 - very cheap. Hope this helps.
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If your registered as a commercial customer then it won't affect you. However if your wasting loads of water down the drain and haven't yet registered as being commercial then I'm sure you'll soon be getting a visit from the water company in your area.
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Think its a 5 year jail sentence or £5,000 fine if you get caught!!!
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;D ;D
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I was sent to a vietnam prison, but promptly escaped, if you want your windows cleaned and if you can find then maybe you can hire me.....£10 min charge
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Think its a 5 year jail sentence or £5,000 fine if you get caught!!!
no, it's £20,000 fine for polluting surface water drains.
As for registering, Anglian Water phone me once a fortnight and a man in a van comes and samples my water by the roadside ;D Think it costs me around £280 a year to be registered.
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I see ..
Have you got any details on the filtration part of the system ? especially what size it filters down to... microns ... would appreciate anything u have.
I put the bins into a fibreglass insert in the back of my van (Citroen Relay) - it fits two side by side. The water tank is under the bins.
Water runs from the pressure washer out of the bins and through a rough wire screen. This catches all the 'big bits' (nappies, condoms, used tampon applicators, syringes, crack pipes etc) which are usually stuck to the side of the bin. Strained water goes straight back into tank.
Pressure washer inlet is a hose with a nylon lantern filter on it (400 micron). This used to get clogged very quickly so I added a cylindrical wire mesh over it (about 8" diameter by 2ft long which I cover with the leg off an old pair of tights (not mine - they'd be too big ;D). This gets rid of 95% of fine particles and because the filter is large it doesn't get clogged. Cover the rough edges of the wire filter with tape before you put the tights on it to avoid 'laddering' them.
This then runs to a 100 micron glass bowl filter which is in a handy place for me to keep and eye on it and clean it out when needed (usually about 50 bins). There is a final Y intake 100 micron mesh strainer which I clean about once a month - hardly anything in it as the glass bowl has already taken the 100 micron particles out.
In spite of this you are always running the pump on dirty water as anything less than 100 microns gets through. So as time goes by you will need a new pump - it's not like jetting with fresh tapwater. Friend of mine has designed his with 800 litre clean water tank and then a 600 litre dirty water tank so no need for filtration, but you need a much bigger van :)
All filters available from Exchange Engineering in Grantham - phone them and they'll send you a catalogue - 01476 578505 - very cheap. Hope this helps.
thks for reply / number... appreciate it ;D
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certainly more comprehensive than thought bin cleaning was! no disrespect...
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If your registered as a commercial customer then it won't affect you. However if your wasting loads of water down the drain and haven't yet registered as being commercial then I'm sure you'll soon be getting a visit from the water company in your area.
Does anyone know how much it costs to register as a commercial customer?
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I have a copy of the draft proposal drought plan,.. can't seem to upload a pdf file here, but you can download it from acs:
http://acsforums.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?action=downloadfile;file=10319_SEW_Drought_Plan_NTS_AW_2__web_spreads_.pdf
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http://www.southeastwater.co.uk/pls/apex/PROD.download_file?p_doc_id=290
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certainly more comprehensive than thought bin cleaning was! no disrespect...
Impossible to disrespect a bin cleaner. We're pretty low down the food chain. Windys are like Greek Gods compared to us ;D
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http://www.southeasnumptyer.co.uk/pls/apex/PROD.download_file?p_doc_id=290
Stupid swear filter wont allow the word south east water 8) 8)
Try clicking on this http://alturl.com/kdx9j (http://alturl.com/kdx9j)