Appeal to the water companies before the deadline

I believe that the hosepipe ban imposed by the seven water companies in the south east will have a serious impact on the hundreds of small businesses working in the landscape industry in the south east.

Whilst we all understand the seriousness of the drought, the blanket ban imposed by Thames Water and others means that from 5 April, hosepipes cannot be used to water newly installed planting, turf and seeded areas. If you have not yet fully considered the implications of this, I have outlined my concerns in my letter of appeal (see below) and I am asking for a discretionary period for new garden installations.

All the water companies have a consulting period where representations or appeals can be made. The deadline for representations for Thames Water is 21 March (in writing to: Public Consultations Team, 2nd East, Thames Water, Clearwater Court, Reading, RG1 8DB - or by email to consultations@thameswater.co.uk). Check your water company for their deadlines and addresses.

I urge LJN members in the south east affected by this (there must be hundreds) to write to their water companies (please feel free to adapt my letter for your own business case if it helps). If there are enough people appealing and asking for a discretionary period, maybe our voices will be heard.

As an open association LJN is a voice in the industry and actively supports small businesses - a letter from LJN on behalf of its members in the south east may carry more weight. Strength in numbers?

My appeal letter is now in the Business Objectives Group

Water companies in the United Kingdom

I have had to tell several clients about the hosepipe ban and the implications on their upcoming garden projects. One of my clients has just been very visibly upset. I will have to put many projects on hold until the Autumn, at great personal cost to my business etc. I have just had an exceptionally tough winter work wise, and this could be the final straw etc.

I did write to Thames Water yesterday and got a reply last night.

I have been tweeting and retweeting this info all day.

Thanks Jenny for putting this letter together, and I shall use and send as appropriate.

I even spoke with my lawn suppliers on Tuesday about what their plans and / or suggestions would be for us landscapers, and they didnt know there was going to be a blanket ban.

I am so pleased that we have Philip and LJN behind us.

Thanks

Replies

Jane Heath March 15, 2012 at 3:11pm

I certainly will, Jenny. Have had to put a lot of planting plans on hold, so will write to South East Water. Anyone else in the same region going to do so as well? I'm not expecting a positive result but one can only try! Thanks for this.
PRO

Phil Voice March 15, 2012 at 4:16pm

I have just spoken to Jenny, I'm fully behind this and I think, as an industry, everyone else should be too. This could be a bigger threat to businesses in our industry than the credit crunch and last winter's prolonged period of snow and ice.

I have sent an LJN email to all members urging for us to be unified in pushing the water companies to help businesses out here.

It's not just about being able to work and earn a living either. By being able to plant trees and shrubs, create lawns, orchards and meadows, as well as maintain existing green infrastructure, we are boosting the economy and maintaining a rich fragile environment.

The loss of planting and trees through lack of irrigation and maintenance may lead to further problems with our parks and gardens, not to mention the knock-on effect for business.

If you are not already a member then please join the Key Business Objectives Group: http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/group/keyobjectivesprivategrou...
Emma Renton March 15, 2012 at 4:25pm

I have had to tell several clients about the hosepipe ban and the implications on their upcoming garden projects. One of my clients has just been very visibly upset. I will have to put many projects on hold until the Autumn, at great personal cost to my business etc. I have just had an exceptionally tough winter work wise, and this could be the final straw etc.

I did write to Thames Water yesterday and got a reply last night.

I have been tweeting and retweeting this info all day.

Thanks Jenny for putting this letter together, and I shall use and send as appropriate.

I even spoke with my lawn suppliers on Tuesday about what their plans and / or suggestions would be for us landscapers, and they didnt know there was going to be a blanket ban.

I am so pleased that we have Philip and LJN behind us.

Thanks
Jenny Bloom March 15, 2012 at 5:52pm

Thanks Jane and Emma. It is definitely worth a try and with LJN behind us we may have more luck.
Jane Heath March 15, 2012 at 6:12pm

For South East Water contact:

Lee Dance

Water Resources

South East Water

Snodland

Kent ME6 5AH

Not sure about email - I was told go to southeastwater.co.uk/drought but all I can find is the general contact numbers or a feedback form.
T & S Plants March 15, 2012 at 6:57pm

Good work Jenny.

As we fall under South West Water we are currently not affected by the ban, but have Customers in the Regions that will be affected.

We hope that a strong LJN campaign can protect Horticulture, and those that plant, to make our land more green and pleasant place to live in.
T & S Plants March 15, 2012 at 7:28pm

Some of you may also like to read this, from the news today

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17371825
PRO
Phil Voice March 15, 2012 at 7:30pm
Anglian Water: http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/environment/water-resources/E90894F6C...

What am I still allowed to do during a hosepipe ban?
- Use a hosepipe in a garden or for cleaning walls or windows of domestic premises, paths or patios, a private leisure boat or an artificial outdoor surface, where such use is necessary for health and safety reasons;
- Use a hosepipe in the course of a business to clean a private motor vehicle, or for cleaning walls or windows of domestic premises, paths or patios or an artificial outdoor surface, where this is done as a service to customers
- Use a hosepipe to water a garden attached to a domestic dwelling or to water plants on domestic premises by people with severe mobility problems or who hold a current Blue Badge issued by their local authority.
- Use a hosepipe to water an area of grass or an artificial outdoor surface used for playing sport or recreation (but not for any ancillary use), where this is required in connection with a national or international sports event only.
- Use of drip or trickle irrigation watering systems fitted with a pressure reducing valve and a timer, that are not handheld and which place water by drip directly onto the soil surface or beneath the soil surface, without any surface run off or dispersion of water through the air using a jet or mist.
Tanya Batkin March 15, 2012 at 7:39pm

Hi Jenny

Although not currently affected by the hose pipe ban, may of my clients are aware that it is a possibility. I have already had one job put back to the autumn.

Good luck.
Robert Cottrell March 15, 2012 at 9:28pm

i have just looked at south east water web site. it seams that we can water plants through a micro or dripper system dose not say that it can not be on all the time. new lawns can be watered for 28 days after laying. now is that a compleated lawn or not....