Open Association of Landscape Industries
Could your business withstand a hosepipe ban?
From our experience of this when based in Surrey in 2006, the last hospipe ban, we were down by 50% on our previous years sales.
As a Nursery we are exempt from any ban, so can water as normal.
However, our customers, Landscapers and Garden Designers, were not exempt, and could not water, neither could their customers.
We knew then, of many Maintenance contractors that lost work as they could not cut grass as it was not growing through the hosepipe ban.
We also knew then, of many Landscape and Garden Design projects that were delayed until the hosepipe ban was lifted in November 2006. December 2006, after the ban was lifted, was our best month that year for plant sales.
The problem is, domestic gardens accounts for a minimal amount of total water usage, and yet, horticulture and making our world a greener and better place, is always an easy target to hit.
These mega-rich water companies have permission to extract water from our rivers, bleeding them and us dry, yet still not building new reservoirs to meet demand.
Warnings of what could happen was said by the industry leaders in the 1980's when these now mega-rich Water companies were privatised. It was said at the time that a privatised water industry will be based on the principle of greed not need. Proved right then?
Yet water is an essential for humankind, how does that work? What next, air?
So what will you do, how will you cope should a hosepipe ban hit your area?
Tags: ban, horticulture, hosepipe
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Fenlandphil on -
Very briefly, the hosepipr ban will effect the whole industry in the areas concerned as gardeners do not garden to the same extent when the plants won't grow.
A sensible strategic method of water distribution throughout the country using in part the canal system ought to be looked at.
As for the comments on water privatisation, that well known radical socialist Sir Edward Heath probably made the best comment, which went something on these lines, "If I don't like Mr Jones water I can't go and get Mr Smith to supply me with his", if Ted Heath couldn't see the point in water privatisation it was a surprise that others did.
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Permalink Reply by phil smith yewtreelandscapes.com on
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all i have read so far is all about watering plants, grass seed, turf, shrubs & trees, what about hard landscapers we still need water to mix up the cement for patios, walls, brickwork, laying edges for driveways, we are an island surounded by water, there is no way we should have a water shortage, yes i know its salt water but with all the technoligy we have the salt can be extracted to give drinkable and useable water, and if the water companies got off their lazy GREEDY fat arses and fix all the leaks then there wouldnt be any problems anyhow
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Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Jenny Bloom on -
Update on Thames Water website today and worryingly there are no exemptions for landscapers/gardeners.
The HTA is apparently lobbying the water companies but currently there are no exemptions or concessions for landscapers from Thames Water - and this will have a serious impact on our businesses. Although I and I’m sure many others will be writing in to appeal (see address where you can write in to make representations below), it would be great if LJ could make a group representation for members in counties affected. We have a week to do it.
Thames Water Temporary Ban Notice http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/15443.htm
Here are a couple of the questions and answers from their new FAQ http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/15420.htm regarding the ban. There are currently no exemptions for newly landscaped, planted or turfed/seeded areas - and it would simply not be feasible to water these new areas effectively with a bucket or watering can.
I am a gardener/landscape contractor. Can I use a sprinkler to wate...
You are still able to continue to water a garden if you are using a watering can/bucket which has not been filled using a hosepipe; however the ban prevents the watering of private gardens with a hosepipe sprinkler or similar apparatus. This includes watering other people’s private gardens (including landscaped areas).
My garden is not seeded or turfed; does the ban prohibit me from wa...
The Temporary Use Ban means that you cannot water your garden using a hosepipe or sprinkler regardless of whether it has been newly seeded or turfed; however you can continue to water newly sewn seeds and newly laid turf using a watering can/bucket.
Other FAQs at: http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/15420.htm
Representations about this notice may be made in writing to the Public Consultations team, 2nd East, Thames Water, Clearwater Court, Vastern Road, Reading RG1 8DB, or by email to consultations@thameswater.co.uk. Representations must be received before the end of 21 March 2012.
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Permalink Reply by Jill Crooks on -
Looking at the Essex & Suffolk Water Drought Plan they have specifically stated there will be no exemptions
http://www.eswater.co.uk/_assets/documents/ESW_Drought_Plan_2011_Fi...
"...We have considered whether to exempt any group or use of water from the Phase 1 temporary use ban and have concluded that there should be no exemptions.......... . By having no exemptions we are acting proportionately and there is the maximum clarity for our customers on what the requirements on them are...."
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Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Prout on -
I got in to gardens when I bought my first flat and although on the first floor it had a good size garden for its location in sub-urban Twickenham. But being on the first floor it didn't have an external tap. But none the less I bought plants I liked and planted them where I wanted them. I didn't plant containers because I worked in London and sometimes longish hours and couldn't find the energy to water plants and climb up and down the steep stairs to do so when I got home at about 9pm. So in short I had a garden up until Dec 2011 and never put a hose pipe to it or a watering can for than matter. The artificial lawn helps !
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
Close planting and shaded rootsl.....certainly made your garden work Jacquelinebr/>
Jacqueline Prout said:I got in to gardens when I bought my first flat and although on the first floor it had a good size garden for its location in sub-urban Twickenham. But being on the first floor it didn't have an external tap. But none the less I bought plants I liked and planted them where I wanted them. I didn't plant containers because I worked in London and sometimes longish hours and couldn't find the energy to water plants and climb up and down the steep stairs to do so when I got home at about 9pm. So in short I had a garden up until Dec 2011 and never put a hose pipe to it or a watering can for than matter. The artificial lawn helps !
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Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Jenny Bloom on -
Glad this worked well for you Jacqueline, but would you risk this approach for paying client?
I am starting a new post to urge members in the south east to appeal to their water companies for a discretionary period for new garden installations. Without this, the blanket hosepipe ban could have a devastating affect on many small businesses working in our industry.
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