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Hosepipe ban, why is this not nationwide?

(37 Posts)
faringdon59 Thu 25-Jun-26 16:01:20

I saw on the lunchtime news that a hosepipe ban is being introduced in the South East, Kent I think?
Why, when we are on Red Alert for heat is this not being rolled out nationwide, as soon as the Mt office issues the alerts?
Also back in the hot Summer of 1976 we had all sorts of notices/signage up that water was a scarcity, but not now.
Any thoughts on this?

Gwyllt Sat 27-Jun-26 18:21:36

It’s not only Birmingham that takes water from wales Tryweryn Valley in Gwynedd supplies Merseyside Which is also supplied by LakecVyrnwy Apparently Wales receives no direct payment for its water

Shizam Sat 27-Jun-26 18:35:01

Is South East Water in a bet with Thames Water to be named the most useless?

Thisismyname1953 Sat 27-Jun-26 19:04:54

We in Merseyside are grateful to Wales for the lovely soft water we receive. I’ve no idea if Wales are paid for it but we definitely pay some company for our water .
Soft water is so much kinder for our appliances and pipes . Thank you Wales .

Witzend Sat 27-Jun-26 19:20:08

We had another major thunderstorm and heavy rain last night, thank goodness! 2nd in not much more than a week, so a lot less need for watering gardens.
And slightly less sweltering here today! I’d had more than enough of 36 deg…

FranP Sat 27-Jun-26 21:53:16

Casdon

It’s not necessary, because there isn’t a national water grid, water delivery systems between different areas of the country are not connected, and not everybody has supply issues. We in Wales don’t pipe water to Kent for example, although we do supply a lot of water to Birmingham. I just checked and it says our water supply is currentlyin a strong, stable position.

and to Liverpool. Lyn Brianne was added to and connected to cover East Wales too.

FranP Sat 27-Jun-26 21:55:40

Witzend

We had another major thunderstorm and heavy rain last night, thank goodness! 2nd in not much more than a week, so a lot less need for watering gardens.
And slightly less sweltering here today! I’d had more than enough of 36 deg…

We get a fair amount of water to fill our supply because it rains heavily up-river. I have had about 10 minutes rain in 2 weeks, so unless I water, my 14 trees will die.

Patsy70 Sat 27-Jun-26 22:00:10

roxie39

The reason SE Water has felt the need to introduce a hose pipe ban is down to their own inefficiency. Several times over the last couple of years hundreds of residents have had their water completely cut off. After much pressure the Chief Executive resigned last May. He should have been sacked.

It is an absolute catastrophe.

Mojack26 Sat 27-Jun-26 23:10:16

I assume you mean England wide as we in Scotland have had a lot of rain and most certainly do not neef a hosepipe ban

jocork Mon 29-Jun-26 02:27:52

Thisismyname1953

We in Merseyside are grateful to Wales for the lovely soft water we receive. I’ve no idea if Wales are paid for it but we definitely pay some company for our water .
Soft water is so much kinder for our appliances and pipes . Thank you Wales .

Soft water is wonderful for our appliances and pipes but it is less good for our health having a higher sodium content. If one installs a water softener, drinking water should not come from the softner unit. If you live in a soft water area you can't avoid consuming it though, unless you purchase bottled water!

MaizieD Mon 29-Jun-26 05:07:41

jocork

Thisismyname1953

We in Merseyside are grateful to Wales for the lovely soft water we receive. I’ve no idea if Wales are paid for it but we definitely pay some company for our water .
Soft water is so much kinder for our appliances and pipes . Thank you Wales .

Soft water is wonderful for our appliances and pipes but it is less good for our health having a higher sodium content. If one installs a water softener, drinking water should not come from the softner unit. If you live in a soft water area you can't avoid consuming it though, unless you purchase bottled water!

Is this a scientific medically endorsed fact, or just supposition based on the fact that too much salt is not good for one?

Because I’ve lived in a soft water area for 40 years and have never heard of this…

CatsWhiskas Mon 29-Jun-26 10:26:35

I thought naturally soft water (like the water on Merseyside) is "soft" because it's low in calcium and magnesium. I don't think it's high in sodium (salt), whereas artificially softened water uses salt in the softening process. (Could be wrong.)