[Pj]

Hosepipe ban for 20 million in next 2-4 weeks.  Even though this won't restrict us legally, residential customers will be feeling concientious about water conservation.

[H S and Son]

Just tell them you wont rinse then 


Seriously just seen that too, you're right though it wont restrict us legally just yet and a drought order ought not either, but it is a situation that cannot be ignored. They'll have trouble enforcing restrictions though, peoples livelihoods, mortgages and food on the table is dependant on being able to work. Could be interesting situation as the summer progresses.

[Ian101]

Zzzzzzzzzz just keep cleaning if a customer complains then skip em till ban ends ... Simples

[Dave.]

 I was walking round a reservoir yesterday and it was the fullest I've seen it in 10 years.  I never thought I'd feel grateful for all the rain we get in Cornwall

[andyM]

The media have done a cracking job the last couple of months spouting out the doom and gloom.
Although their information has been very distorted.
For example in one water region one of the resevoirs is 60% capacity however in another part of the region another resevoir is 90% capacity.
From listening to the media they would have us believe its like the sahara. 

[Pj]

Zzzzzzzzzz just keep cleaning if a customer complains then skip em till ban ends ... Simples

Ok Captain Schettino, lets all get back to work now.

This year could well be tough.  It isn't just the media, its the way things are.

[GDwindowcleaning]

If anyone does complain about water usage just explain that the water used is less than a shower and it recycles back into the system....

[clean]

YAAAWWWWWNNN 

[David Lingard]

Seriously... This has no effect whatsoever on windys

"Hosepipe Ban" to be replaced by "Discretionary Use Ban"
At present, water companies can, at their discretion, impose 'hosepipe bans' in an effort to reduce water consumption by the public. These hosepipe bans are limited in their scope by section 76 of The Water Industry Act 1991.

Put simply, by imposing a hosepipe ban water companies can restrict certain uses of water drawn from their supply network, including washing of private cars, the watering of private gardens etc. Hosepipe bans do not have any impact on window cleaning by method, including the domestic sector. This means, for example, that during a hosepipe ban a householder would not be allowed to wash their car using a hosepipe, but would be allowed to wash their windows
with a hosepipe.
"

From http://www.bwca.co.uk/news.html

Stop worrying about nothing...

[gary999]

if we dont have a wet spring by summer i predict not just hosepipe bans but
drought orders in certain areas.

im lucky i come under severn trent and they have promised no hose pipe bans etc
my water is piped from wales.

i was out on a warwickshire river yesterday fishing and i dont remember the last time
i saw river levels so low this time of year,the longer the lack of rain carries on the more
an issue this will become and more it will be highlighted in the media this will definately
affect the mindset of the average customer whatever the legality of the situation is
it definately could cause problems

[David Lingard]

More info..

The only restriction so far is that water-fed poles must not be
directly connected to the mains water supply. For example,
a window cleaner would not be permitted to connect their
water-fed pole to a customer’s outdoor tap. Water-Fed
Poles fed from a mobile tank, such as a van or trailer
system, are still be permitted.
This will come as a relief to a great many window cleaners
who have invested in water-fed systems in order to comply
with the 2005 Work at Height Regulations.

If your customers get arsey make a leaflet outlining the law and give them it. If you are conforming to the law (just as they are) they should have no reason to say anything more. If they still get weird about it just move on - what are you going to do? pi$$ on a rag and damp up the glass? Besides how many custys do you think are actually going to cancel after they know for a fact you are conforming to law? 1/100? probably not the best custy anyway...

[gary999]

if the majority cared about that so called law nobody would be employing
ladder jockeys and they are still the majority when it comes to window cleaning

i dont think anyone should panic...but like i said before if the lack of rain
continues in certain areas these regulations could change rapidly,summer is still
months away i for one will def keep one eye on this situation and if things do
go from bad to worse i will simply adapt to suit

[Sean Dyer]

It might be ok to wash from the vans tank

But will it be illegal to fill van via a hose pipe from the mains??

found this online
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2006/e06061.htm

[idealrob]

Very good post Sean, only glad that i am the North East, with Kielder reservoir,It is the largest artificial lake in the United Kingdom by capacity,and holds 200 million litres,  was built to supply the heavy industry in the North East, but sadly most of the industry has now gone.

idealrob

[David Lingard]

But who uses customers' water to fill their wfp tanks? isn't it always manu'd ro, di water that you bring along?

[Justen Uff]

Thames Water announced ban in a month, includes that you can't clean your windows.
Oooerr!  What they gonna do if next door calls a big van with a splishy splashy broomstick who goes round soaking everything?  And they can't get their own bucket out?
Gonna raise a few questions innit

[Ian101]

Thames Water announced ban in a month, includes that you can't clean your windows.
Oooerr!  What they gonna do if next door calls a big van with a splishy splashy broomstick who goes round soaking everything?  And they can't get their own bucket out?
Gonna raise a few questions innit

Ideal time to see if neighbour wants theirs doing 

[amayze]

Looked at Anglian Water's website, they have produced a Drought Pack

http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/_assets/media/Drought_Pack_Ruthamford.doc.pdf

It clearly states (pages 4 & 5), that at present the ban only applies to DOMESTIC users - not businesses !

[Pj]

Looked at Anglian Water's website, they have produced a Drought Pack

http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/_assets/media/Drought_Pack_Ruthamford.doc.pdf

It clearly states (pages 4 & 5), that at present the ban only applies to DOMESTIC users - not businesses !

Thats interesting.
It says you can't water your garden with a hose.
So, when it comes to waste water, do we make sure we let it run down the drain?  Because we can't water the garden with it!  Hmmm!
Who's going to phone the Water Authority for me?

[AuRavelling79]

Rehearse after me :-

I use water collected from my roofs. (during last winter of course)

The water I carry came from Wales/Devon or Cornwall/Cumbria/Scotland*  - I drive there every weekend and buy my water there/fill up from a friend.

*whichever  is closest