Cautious welcome to proposals for new hosepipe ban legislation

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) welcomes Defra’s consultation on a more sensible approach to the imposition of hosepipe bans on domestic gardens, for which it has been campaigning vigorously since the ban was imposed last year.

The consultation proposes the closure of several loop holes in the Law and recommends a new Code of Practice that could allow concessions on areas like the use of more efficient watering systems such as micro or drip irrigation, or the ability to use hosepipes at certain times of the day only.

The consultation also clarifies that the water companies do in fact already have these discretionary powers – something that HTA has been claiming since April 2006 but which was not, until now, acknowledged by either the water companies or Government. HTA now looks forward to working with Defra and the water companies to ensure that the new Code properly reflects these sensible steps.

The Code will also clarify how communications from water companies to domestic users on water restrictions should best be done in the future. Suppliers were severely criticised last year for the nature and accuracy of the information contained in their publicity material, a fact again highlighted by HTA’s campaign.

David Gwyther, Director General of HTA said: “Indiscriminate bans on hosepipe use last year caused quite substantial financial pain to many garden retailers and hard-pressed growers in the areas affected. They also upset the gardening public, who were well aware that less than 5% of domestic water consumption was used in gardens, which is far less than is being leaked by the water companies themselves. We are therefore pleased that we have succeeded in our campaign to get the water companies to consider allowing more modern hose-based watering techniques, and to ensure their communications on the need for restrictions are more accurate and helpful. We look forward to working with them in ensuring the new Code of Practice meets the needs of the gardening industry and its customers, recognizing of course the need for sensible use of water at all times.”

HTA will be studying the consultation in detail and will respond by the deadline of 15 June 2007.