Hosepipe tip-offs start flooding in (From Witney Gazette)

Hosepipe tip-offs start flooding in

9:00am Wednesday 19th April 2006 in Witney By Maddy Biddulph

NEIGHBOURS have reported 11 people for washing their cars and watering their gardens in Oxfordshire since the hosepipe ban came in.

Thames Water introduced the restrictions across the region nine days ago in the face of severe drought, but this has not had an impact on water usage in the county, according to the company.

The ban the first in the region for 15 years bans the domestic use of hosepipes and sprinklers in the garden or for washing cars.

It is not forbidden to fill a watering can with a hosepipe, which can then be used in the garden.

The water company said of its 8 million customers, 118 overall had been reported for flouting the restrictions in the first few days of the ban.

There are 11 in Oxfordshire but the company was not able to say which areas of the county they came from.

The company has renewed a warning persistent offenders could be fined up to £1,000.

Thames Water spokesman Robin Markwell said: "These are only people we know about.

"Hosepipes use 540 litres an hour which is enough to supply a family of four for a day."

The water company is operating a 'three strikes and you're out' system. First-time offenders will be written to, a repeat offence will incur another letter and a personal visit, and a third offence could result in legal action.

Mr Markwell said: "We are not actively out there with patrol teams seeking out those using hosepipes but we will follow up any reports.

"We are channelling our resources to addressing leakage problems and getting leakages down."

To report breaches of the hosepipe ban, call the Thames Water customer service telephone line on 0845 9200 800.

Rainfall is miles below normal

AVERAGE rainfall in March in Oxfordshire was 79 per cent below the average for the time of year, which is equivalent to 49mm of rain.

This means that the county has now seen below the average rainfall for the last 17 months.

Thames Water spokesman Hilary Bennett said: "This obviously doesn't improve the situation. We still urge everyone to save water."

How to save water

• Install a water-saving device to fit in your toilet cistern, saving up to three litres per flush. These can be obtained free from Thames Water on 0845 9200800
• Take a quick shower instead of a bath but beware, as power showers can use more than a bath.

• Ensure, before using it, that you have a full load in your washing machine or dishwasher
• Don't leave the tap running while brushing your teeth or washing vegetables, as this can waste up to six litres per minute.

• Fix dripping taps making a saving of up to 140 litres per week.