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 Caro Sanders on May 30, 2012 at 9:58

So clients CAN continue with the watering, doesn't have to be landscapers, is what Richard Aylard says. That makes sense.  

Permalink Reply by Mark Watson on May 30, 2012 at 13:31

Hi MP GD

It's hard to navigate but I eventually found it !   http://www.thameswater.co.uk/waterwisely/exemptions.htm

Marie-Plews Garden Design said:

I couldnt see anything on Thames water's web site either; neither  could I  get through on the phone and actually they havent contacted me with instructions for procedure  -

so I'm  giving my clients a letter confirming that we've planted; with date of the work, so they can wave that around if anyone asks (we have a copy obviously)


Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Marie-Plews Garden Design on May 30, 2012 at 14:09

thanks Mark :-} good work!

not that I'm sure I'm much wiser - as in we still dont have clarity on how we should approach this, ie notify thames before/ after ; which department to notify/ blah, blah

or did I not read a bit I should have done? (wouldnt suprise me)

Permalink Reply by Mark Watson on May 30, 2012 at 16:32

The way I read it is that we don't need to do anything in terms of notifying and checking,otherwise it would have said so.I've already told one of my customers to hose away on his newly seeded lawn tonight.If anyone says anything I'll point them to the website.


PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on June 11, 2012 at 9:25

Hosepipe ban set to be lifted 'sooner rather than later' for Thames Water customers

http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/15730.htm

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