Proposals for modernising the hosepipe ban legislation have been published by Defra.
The government promised last summer to update the 62 year old legislation, when what was described as one of the worst droughts in 100 years highlighted the gap between the way water was used in 1945 and the way it is used today. The existing hosepipe ban rules cover only watering gardens and washing cars.
Growers of ornamental plants have debated the extent to which last summer’s bans harmed their businesses, particularly in the south east, but there is a consensus in the industry that ongoing bans would have a potentially catastrophic effect on plant sales.
The joint Defra/Welsh Assembly government consultation outlines proposals for replacing this with a ‘discretionary use’ ban, which would extend the scope to activities such as the filling of domestic swimming pools and using a hosepipe for cleaning patios and drives.
Changes are also proposed to the Drought Direction 1991, which identifies the uses which can be restricted under a drought order.
The aim is that the new discretionary use would apply primarily to domestic consumers, and that drought order powers extend controls to the commercial and public sectors.
Launching the consultation, environment minister Ian Pearson said: “For us to rely on that level of goodwill when we face future droughts it is essential that the legislation is clear and unambiguous. People have a right to expect a common sense approach, and I believe these new proposals provide that.”
David Gwyther, director general of HTA, welcomed Defra’s announcement. “Indiscriminate bans on hosepipe use last year caused quite substantial financial pain to many garden retailers and hard-pressed growers in the areas affected.
“They also upset the gardening public, who were well aware that less than 5% of domestic water consumption was used in gardens, which is far less than is being leaked by the water companies themselves,” he said.
“We are therefore pleased that we have succeeded in our campaign to get the water companies to consider allowing more modern hose-based watering techniques, and to ensure their communications on the need for restrictions are more accurate and helpful.”
In addition to the The Drought Direction 1991, it is proposed that some new water uses are added to an updated Direction: the use of hosepipes to clean drives, paved areas and other hard standings serving non-domestic premises; use of hosepipes for dust suppression; and filling of storage tanks for use for a proscribed purpose anywhere.
NFU Horticulture Board chairman Richard Hirst also welcomed the modernisation of legislation. “Any water restrictions placed on the garden and landscape industries at times of shortage need to be fair, proportionate, and take account of the environmental benefit of green landscapes,” he said.
“We are already working with government and the water companies to ensure the horticulture, landscape and wider gardening industries have reasonable access to water.”
The consultation closes on 15 June 2007.
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