On Tuesday, July 16, 2013 3:17:40 PM UTC+1, Sacha wrote:
On 2013-07-16 14:53:05 +0100, Broadback said:



On 16/07/2013 14:35, Spider wrote:

On 16/07/2013 09:46, Sacha wrote:

Yes, I know I've banged on about 'thank heaven we put the borehole in'

but....a few weeks ago the pump broke down and it took a week to get

another and fit it. During that week, we had to use mains water and last

night Ray told me it cost £500! So it is indeed 'thank heaven for that

borehole'!! I believe our water board is one of the most expensive in

the country but even so! Think of how much we must all cost ourselves if

we waste any - taps left running during teeth brushing, letting it run

down the sink while waiting for it to heat are just two that come to

mind.









That sounds like a difficult -and expensive- week.

We both try to be very good with water. When there's a hosepipe ban I

collect all the water from cleaning veg and salad stuff ... collect cold

'hot' water (iyswim) ... collect the cat's stale drinking water and even

cooking water if there's no salt in it. It is then used on plants that

are particularly stressed. I also keep a bucket of fresh water outside

for the cats to drink, so that's a good drenching for some poor plant.

It really does make a difference. In fact, I should be doing it now,

because I'm sure we're overdue a hosepipe ban. Bustles off to find

bucket .....



Well Sacha, after all it is a business, you will no doubt claim it as a

tax expense, which will reduce the cost somewhat. The government

recognise that the SW of the country have high water costs, and

purportedly are doing something about it.

As regards car washing and hose being synonymous the major supermarkets

have car washers that use virtually no water, they seem to make a good

job.



I must check whether we can claim it against taxes though that doesn't

actually help at the time! We use mains water in the house and are

very careful about how much of that we use, too and yes, I hope the

government or SWW does do something about it but that doesn't help in

the past or the present, either, for us or anyone else. I'm not having

a grumble because these things happen, pumps break and in our case

plants have to be watered, or it's a disaster. What I'm aiming to show

is how expensive water is and how much many of us take it for granted

as 'free'. And we very, very rarely wash our cars at home but go to

the local Morrisons car wash. That was expensive last time as Ray

started filling my car's diesel tank with petrol. But that's another

story!
A small amount of petrol won't do a diesel any harm. Lorry driver's used to do that in the winter to stop the diesel waxing.

Jonathan