On 2010-07-07 16:03:28 +0100, "Pete" said:

We are about to have a hosepipe ban throughout the North West. My
immediate reaction was not to worry - we have a 5,000 gallon water tank
filled with rainwater which we hadn't used because the pump system
wasn't working. My other half now says he can get the pump working so
we can use this water via our hosepipes.

However, I have got a vague memory of people not being allowed to use
hosepipes even if they are not connected to the mains water.

Is my memory correct or am I having a senior moment?!!!

Jeanne

Hosepipes per se have never been banned although some water companies
like to give that impression. The law is quite specific and there are
only two hosepipe uses which can be banned - applying mains-drawn water
to a private garden or car. Any other use, eg cleaning patios, drowning
cats, filling swimming pools etc cannot (yet) be prohibited. Nor can
connecting a hosepipe to a water butt.

I found a very explicit summary on the Hozelock website:
http://www.hozelock.com/press/hose-ban-can-can-ts.html