Drought orders here we come.

I knew it !!! After all those storms we had last year and the year before the acquifiers ought to be brim full, but now, following a nice dry, warm and sunny Spring, the water authorities are now telling us to 'save water' once again !!!



Avoid using sprinklers in evening, gardeners urged amid high water demand

PA
Jun 1st 2020 5:29AM
Gardeners are being urged to avoid using sprinklers in the evening as dry weather and the lockdown continue to drive high demand for water.

The call by industry body Water UK comes after what is expected to be the driest May for England since 1896, with official figures published by the Met Office later on Monday.

Forecasters say the weekend's sunny weather, which saw crowds of people flock to beaches and beauty spots across England ahead of lockdown restrictions being eased on Monday, will continue until midweek.



Water UK said there was no shortage of water, but everyone using more at the same time as they enjoy the sunny weather outdoors can lead to lower water pressure, which affects how well it flows out of taps.

There's no shortage of water, but everyone using more at the same time can lower water pressure, affecting how it flows out of the #taps. Water companies have advice on how to be water-efficient. Follow your #water company for water saving tips.#UseWaterWisely#June1stpic.twitter.com/Tz6b2GtnXf

— Water UK (@WaterUK) June 1, 2020

Water companies have seen a huge rise in demand for water from households, particularly in the evenings, with use up 20% and some areas seeing peak demand of up to 40% above normal for the time of year.

The combination of lockdown, which has kept people at home, and the sunny, dry weather is pushing up demand from households using water in the garden.

If gardeners anxious to maintain lawns and flowerbeds in the dry weather can avoid using a garden sprinkler at peak demand time in the evening, it would make a big difference to water pressure, Water UK said.

Other simple steps to reduce water use include taking shorter showers, making sure the dishwasher is full and on an eco-setting before running it through, and reusing paddling pool water on the flowerbeds.

But the industry body stressed people should keep following the guidance on protecting their health during the pandemic, by making sure they wash their hands regularly.

And after a wet winter, there are good supplies of water in reservoirs and there are currently no plans for hosepipe bans in the UK, Water UK said.

The less water we use at peak times, the less likely it is that water will be 'under pressure'

Christine McGourty, Water UK
Water UK chief executive Christine McGourty said: "It's a great time to be out in the sunshine if you can, but this record sunny weather is bringing record peak demands for water.

"Just small changes through the day will make all the difference, and there are plenty more tips on staying wise about water in these unprecedented times.

"The less water we use at peak times, the less likely it is that water will be 'under pressure'."

 

wow, it really is the end times. i always thought it rained all day every day over there.

 

lol... story of my life.

 

Only on the Atlantic coast of Ireland where everything is covered in Moss.



Here in London, we get at least 50 dry days most years.

 

The Tyranny Of The Lawn. For more than a century now, American homeowners have been struggling to remake their small patch of the environment into a soft, green carpet just like the neighbor's. Who told us this was the way a lawn had to be?

The Tyranny of Lawns

Why Mow? The Case Against Lawns

lawns in the US cover an area of land about half the size of Texas.

The American Lawn Is Now The Largest Single ‘Crop’ In The U.S. half the size of Texas.
The study comes as Californians wrestle with how to care for their lawns in the midst of a four-year drought.


Its so stupid. Water, fertilize work work work just to cut it down and put it in the trash.

 

I understand how difficult that must be, and I'm sorry.

We live in California (my parents & I) and it's always been a problem here my entire life. I was inspired at a fairly young age (I must have been twelve) by the sweetest environmentalist girl. She was a grade ahead of me, kissed me, and made a tremendous impact on how seriously I took the water shortage/drought to heart. It has changed the way I brush my teeth, how long I shower, and whether I think it's necessary to flush if it's just urine.

 

Whilst everyone has been confined to their homes under Boris's 'house arrest', the weather has been magnificent - we've had the warmest, driest April & May on record. Now that this 'house arrest' is easing, the weather is beginning to change. What's the betting as we return to normality, we'll get the coldest, wettest summer/autumn on record ???