Pro Designer

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

Tags: ban, businesses, designers, drought, garden, hosepipe, landscapers, small

Views: 3583

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Replies to This Discussion


Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Marie-Plews Garden Design on March 27, 2012 at 9:36

I'm REALLY concerned that whilst turf can be laid or sown & watered for 28 days when the installation is done commercially that there isn’t a similar exemption for new (commercial) plantings, yet window cleaners etc can wash cars & windows and so continue their business.

Funnily enough we (Plews) plant more plants than lawns – and have had two cancellations already on designs agreed as a result of the ban.

Permalink Reply by Emma Renton on March 27, 2012 at 9:58

I too am so concerned about water restrictions.  I am not sure where I will stand legally if I undertake new planting, and those plants die.  I am not sure I am currently prepared to take any risks, and might well have to cancel all planting and turfing projects until the Autumn.

Permalink Reply by Selina Botham on March 27, 2012 at 16:15

I am completely baffled!

It makes no sense financially - plants cost between £600- £30 per meter 2 and turf around £15 so less of an issue if turf dies.

Water wise, turf needs more surface watering which is prone to evaporation and therefore water waste. Plant and tree roots go down deeper and watering the plant roots means less water wasted through evaporation.  

Has anyone any ideas why the water companies are making the distinction and only supporting businesses who are involved in turfing?  


PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on March 27, 2012 at 17:10

I totally agree. There really isn't any logic in the decision by water companies to allow the watering of turf using a hosepipe but not plants. I can imagine many scenarios where watering of turf is many times less efficient (and potentially more wasteful) than watering plants.

Ironically it is also much more efficient to water turf with a sprinkler than by hand with a hosepipe.

I think we need to follow up by presenting a second letter of representation directly and invidually to water companies to highlight how inconsistent their exemption policy is.

Permalink Reply by Jane Heath on March 27, 2012 at 18:41

This is crazy and bitterly disappointing.  I'm still holding out hope that SE Water where most of my customers are based will take a different stance but no doubt I'm living in cloud cuckoo land.  I wrote (snail mail) to Lee Dance 2 weeks ago and haven't had a response.  Are we sure this is the final decision?

Permalink Reply by Selina Botham on March 27, 2012 at 19:27
I have just received a very disappointing response from East Surrey water which says that turf can be watered but not plants!  This makes no sense as plants are more expensive and require less frequent watering which involves less wastage through evapouration than turf watering.  
I believe that, perhaps without even realising it, they are actually putting into practice something which amounts to sex discrimination.   I don't want to be known as a raging feminist, but it may be that it will be possible to play the sex discrimination card and get the watering to be extended to cover plants as well this will benefit everyone involved in the industry.
Sex discrimination can be cited when it can be shown to effect a group of one gender more than another.  In the case of these watering rules :-  landscapers, who are more likely to be men, are allowed to water turf, thus allowing them to be able to continue their work; whilst garden designers, who are more likely to be women, will not be able to carry out their planting work, because they are unable to water it.  Thus the new regulations are more likely to adversely effect women than men.   This amounts is sex discrimination.
Interestingly one of the jobs I am working on is a case in point, the male landscaper (lovely chap, so I am sure he'd help me!) will be able to water his turf in half an hour with a hose, whereas I will have to take most of a day watering the plants and trees with a watering can!!
I hate to get all militant like this - but it really is ridiculous and makes no sense to not allow plants to be watered.  The problem with sexism is it is often so subtle that people don't realise that their actions are sexist.  
I am absolutely convinced that there is a very good case to argue that garden designers (mainly women) should have the same treatment as landscapers (mainly men).  
I am sure the water boards wouldn't want to unfairly treat women but I am afraid that allowing turf and not allowing planting does just that. Does anyone think this is worth a try or are there any lawyers out there who retrained as garden designers or landscapers?  (I worked for a bank in the 80's and had to mention the sex discrimination law then before I was allowed to work part time after having kids, so this is why I know the basics.)
Permalink Reply by David Channon on March 27, 2012 at 22:07

It sounds like a long shot to me!

If you're going to reach for your lawyer, you might be better off going to the European Court and arguing that the ruling is a restraint of trade and a denial of your human right to earn a living.

 

Good luck with that!


PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on March 28, 2012 at 12:39

Call to action

Please get involved an help petition the water companies to include more concessions for responsible water use; http://www.landscapejuice.com/petition-to-exempt-professional-garde...

Permalink Reply by Tom Kitching, Henchman Ltd on March 28, 2012 at 15:37

I have read all the posts and empathize greatly at the degree of impact this may have.  I hesitate therefore to join in with product promotion - however it seems to me some of you may be better off aware at least of the option of a Henchman 'Water Barrow ' than not.  See the Henchman website product tab if you think this device might help you in some cases where distant plants need saving. 

I learnt of the trick of filling a large plastic bottle with sedment heavy water and turning it upside down and pushing it into the base of a tree or plant.  The neck clogs up allowing a drip feed to prevent complete drying out.  Hesitant to mention this again as it may be a ridiculous idea for your sizes of challenge, but no harm to put it out there!


Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Jenny Bloom on March 28, 2012 at 16:40

Good work with starting the petition Phil - and the second open letter. Sign up everyone - and for those of you who tweet, please get tweeting!

Phil Voice said:

Call to action

Please get involved an help petition the water companies to include more concessions for responsible water use; http://www.landscapejuice.com/petition-to-exempt-professional-garde...


Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Marie-Plews Garden Design on March 28, 2012 at 16:42

hi Tom

its a good idea and useful, but unless its already in place and filled on site, its not exactly going to work for a new planting atm...

Re petition: signed and another letter sent off to Thames water company, MP etc

maybe I need to brush up on my cacti ident...

marie

Permalink Reply by Tom Kitching, Henchman Ltd on March 28, 2012 at 16:52

 Helpful to link for you - Henchman Water Barrow.

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