Drought Ban

Replace the lawn with astroturf and don't worry about the plants. If they can't manage a bit of dry weather they're not worth having

A friend of mine has a problem with this in that there is not really a water shortage, just massive wastage, mainly by the water companies not attending to leaks in the distribution system effectively. I agree that managed correctly there shouldn't be a shortage and so hold the water companies accountable, and on this basis, if we are restricted on water use then our water rates should be reduced accordingly. We shouldn't have to pay for what they can't deliver.
The infrastructure causing this shortage is inadequate and it's time the investment was made to put it right. God knows we pay enough to these people, and rather than put the money where it's needed, they have massive pay-offs for their directors. It's criminal.
More and more people are sinking their own bore-holes now for their own water supply. It doesn't cost much. If I lived out of the city I would certainly do the same, get a septic tank system, and tell the water companies to sod off.
In the meantime you need to save bathwater etc. Maybe your tomatoes will taste of Zesty Lime or Natural Herbs Fisbey. (Oh err...).

So what does the ban actuall prohibit?

I had a quick look on www.bbc.co.uk and the list did not include watering plants with a watering can? Unless you are gardening several acres, it may not be as big a problem as you think.

/dl

IMHO watering gardens with tap water has always been grossly irresponsible. If there really is a shortage then the restrictions are very necessary. If the future is as the sages predict just get different plants that are more drought resistant. You'll just be fighting a losing battle otherwise.

Take a look a
Beth Chatto's gravel garden and adapt to dry conditions.

several Botanical Gardens in the southern US specialise in dry climate gardening including Desert Botanical Garden Phoenix who run classes in Desert Gardening.

In Austin Texas the LadyBird Johnson Wildflower Centre also specialises in dry terrain gardening. - Both well worth a visit

I thought life was about choices?

I understand the impact of climate change etc, but if (as Rasher points out) our water supplies are being mis managed (essentially through greed) what choices are there?

I also understand it's not good ( I wouldn't personally say irresponsible)to water plants with tap water due to it not being entirely suitable for many plants (lime haters for example) - but if there's nothing else what do you do - back to choices again....

Things are indeed bad when a Drought Permit has been issued in an attempt to fill largest body of inland water in south east England. I do hope the the trout fishing does not suffer this year due to low water levels over the past few years.

quote:

Originally posted by bob mccluckie:
IMHO watering gardens with tap water has always been grossly irresponsible.

Depends where you live surely? Where I live it shouldn't be a problem as there is no water shortage or any real likelyhood of one.

Move to Scotland. Problem solved.

More than enough wind power, wave power and atomic power to go round plus and almost endless supply of rain.

What more could you want?

Above entry sponsored by Scotland Inc.

Daylight?

Hey, right now here in Brighton, it's pissing down!!

And Belfast too!

quote:

Originally posted by Rasher:
Hey, right now here in Brighton, it's pissing down!!

And Hove

Staines too. innit.

Edinburgh might have enough water now, but it sure as hell will have less of it when they start pumping it south!

Mr McCluckie

There is no facility to pump water around the country. The water is too heavy for economical pumping.

The end result is that Scotland will have an excess of water and you will be on a stand pipe.

I shall move over to Spain where despite the low rainfall, there are no restrictions. My house has a pool and I shall make good use of it.

If you stop being sarcastic, I may even send you a bottle in the post.

Love

Mick

When push comes to shove water will have to be distributed from Scotland and Wales by canals that follow a given contour round the country. It is done in the Southwest of the US, one of the more notable distribution canals is the CAP - Central Arizona Project canal. see
CAP

The was a proposal for the UK in the early 1940s to creat a national water grid based on canals at the 300ft asl line, however there were other distractions on the go at the same time and it was not done.

See the maps of the Salt River Project Canal layout to see what has been implemented in the Phoenix region.

And actually Mick Spain is suffering from a water shortage with the result that poorly treated sewer water is being used to irrigate the vegetable growing regions with the result of stomach infections occuring in the cities where the food is sold and consumed.

Reading the last paragraph Mick I'll pass on your kind offer.
Tee Hee
PS No stand pipes for me. I get my water from the lakes.

quote:

If there really is a shortage

As anyone who spends any time at all over the last three years on a river, this has been very obvious in its arrival. Like most things though, this government failed to act and (probably) prayed for rain.

It has always struck me as rather odd that we don’t have Desalination plants in the UK. These desalination plants are becoming quite commonplace in the USA and Middle East, with Australia, Spain and no doubt the Chinese all building plants. The Russians have a nuclear powered desalination plant which is quite new. So I’m reliably told.
This water could be used for land irrigation or manufacturing, even human consumption if processed correctly.
As a small example of human consumption; I know for a fact that our underwater nuclear deterrent is self sufficient with these desalinization units onboard.

As for the economics of it being done on a large scale is another issue altogether. Purifying seawater is quite an expensive process; it’s certainly more expensive than say purifying brackish pond water, saying that, I’ve no idea what they’d do with all the excess mineral salt.

This country needs an alternative reliable water source, which just happens to surround us.
Just my thought on it!
Beano

Beano,

I think what really gets up everyones wick is that the Water companies are wasting more water through leaks and poor workmanship than is actually required to remedy the situation.

beano, you could be onto something as one could always construct a water factory.

quote:

The key to the success is a technology called "reverse osmosis". Essentially this involves water being pushed through a membrane or filter at a very high pressure.

That high pressure means it uses a lot of energy. At the Ashkelon plant they have cut the costs by building their own power station as part of the unit.

New technology recycles spare energy as part of the process. The membranes themselves are being continually upgraded to improve efficiency as well.

But the mayor of London looks to be against such an idea on cost grounds.

Something needs to be done sooner than later.

97% of the Worlds water is held in the Oceans, 2% is Ice and the remaining 1% is available for drinking and industrial use.

Now factor in the Worlds predicted population increase, this is going to be a biblically massive situation, that needs serious attention from The worlds leaders. As we wont be fighting over oil it'll be over water.

It's going to take some innovative developments to supply the demand thats for sure.

Justyn, I agree, the water companies should be made to repair and update the infrastructure, thus protecting the very thing which gives life!

Beano

Dear Beano,

I made this point exactly a minute ago on the Pessimismus Thread! I see no future at all for mankind beyond three more generations, regardless of any other consideration!

Ever the optimist [NOT]. Fred