On 2010-07-09 09:35:01 +0100, Roo said:

On 7 July, 16:03, "Pete" wrote:
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

Hi Jeanne.

I too am in the currently very damp north west !

There was a report on the BBC local news on wednesday night showing a
lady connecting a hosepipe to one of her water butts - this is
permissable, apparently. When you think about it, you're not taking
from the public supply, and thus not reducing what they've got stored
for us all. In fact, people like you should be positively encouraged
at this time, as if more people like us installed water butts/tanks,
it would be less of a strain on the water co's. For once, logic
reigns (or should that be rains ??!!)

Kind regards.

There is no law which allows them to ban using a hose connected to a
water butt - although I see from United Utilities Twitter page that
they have "requested" someone not to do so.

http://twitter.com/unitedutilities

Some interesting replies from the UU people there - including:

You can still use a mains drawn hosepipe to fill a watering can or a
water butt!

It looks like they are trying to be helpful to gardeners.