Water use by landscape professionals

Last month the outlook for water resources was looking positive.  Despite an unusually long period of warm, dry weather, I suspect we all assumed this summer wouldn’t last for much longer, and our respective landscapes would be watered.  Besides, the UK received record breaking levels of rainfall only a few months earlier; surely this would have brimmed reservoirs and groundwater storage facilities?

But last longer it has.  Following consecutive days of temperatures above 25oC, water resources in some areas of the UK have now fallen to levels which require preventative measures.  United Utilities in the north west of England are the first to announce a temporary use ban (the new phrase for hose pipe bans), which is likely to start on 5th August unless there is a prolonged period of rainfall before the deadline. 

Earlier this month I attended a meeting organised by Water UK and, together with trade associations and water suppliers, learnt how water resources are managed and what professional users can expect in the future.  As the voice of our members, BALI engage in stakeholder meetings and promote the landscape industry as a priority user of water.  On behalf of members, BALI seek to ensure commercial landscaping activities are excluded from all temporary use bans. 

The report below is a summary of the meeting, together with BALI’s interpretation of the current situation.

Weather

Medium-range forecasts (until September this year) suggest continued warm, dry weather will prevail over most parts of the UK.  There may be short periods of rain during this period, which will serve to water landscapes (and thus possibly reduce the need for hosepipes) but unlikely to recharge either surface or groundwater resources.

Resource and availability

Before discussing the finer details of water availability it’s worth exploring water resources.  Broadly speaking, northern and western areas of the country are served by surface water (Reservoirs) whereas the south and east rely on groundwater (chalk aquifers).  The reason for this is simple – the greatest concentration of useable aquifers are in the south and east. 

Ground water is filled by precipitation which falls during the winter and spring.  The water may take many months to reach aquifers underground, and the high levels of rain experienced for much of the UK during April and May mean ground water reserves are still being recharged by the rain the UK experienced earlier in the year.  At present, there is no shortage of water in ground water reserves.  Any shortage is unlikely to become apparent until winter, when groundwater reserves are recharged.  If there is not significant rainfall during winter to recharge these stores, temporary use bans are likely next year.   

Reservoirs are fed by rivers, streams and some ground water.  Apart from filling reservoirs, water entering surface water reserves from tributaries may also be used by agriculture or industrial processes.  At present, reserves of surface water are slightly reduced due to lack of rain and high use. Areas of the country which are served by surface water storage facilities (predominantly reservoirs) are at the greatest risk of temporary use bans.

However, regardless of resources, the main reason for the proposed temporary use bans is to reduce the demand for water from consumers of all types.  The warmer weather has led to greater pressure being put on water companies, who struggle to supply sufficient quantities of clean water due to heightened demand.  Whilst research has shown a temporary use ban typically reduces water demand by just 5%, anything to help ease the burden placed on water companies is hugely beneficial.  In some areas of the UK, sustained periods of warmer weather has led to leaks – even higher than the leaks caused by freezing pipes in winter – as a result of the ground cracking, moving and severing underground pipes.  

Temporary use ban (TUB)

The first means of reducing demand from consumers, the temporary use ban may be introduced by water suppliers to outline prohibited uses and exceptions.  In most cases commercial users of water are exempt from the temporary use ban, but it is worth checking with the supplier in your area.  By law, water suppliers must notify their users and publicise the ban.  If you are travelling to an area (for example, a new work site) and unsure of who the supplier is, Water UK provide a free service: https://www.water.org.uk/consumers/find-your-supplier.  Using this information, you will be able to contact the water supplier and enquire as to presence of a temporary use ban, and the terms imposed under this.  Whilst water suppliers try to align the terms of temporary use bans, exceptions exist and specific uses of water may be applied for.  

United utilities in the north west

A temporary use ban is due to be enforced from 5th August 2018 from 8am by supplier United Utilities in the north west of England. 

Link to details of ban: https://www.unitedutilities.com/globalassets/documents/tubfinalweb.pdf  

Most commercial uses of water are permitted under the terms of this ban:

• Mains water and hose pipes may be used on commercial landscapes     
• Mains water and hose pipes may be used in garden centres, nurseries and anywhere plants are grown for sale or commercial use
• Mains water and hose pipes may be used in a national plant collection or temporary garden or flower display

The only areas where caution should be exercised are the following:

• Newly laid turf in a domestic garden may be watered by a member of the public or landscape professional using a hosepipe connected to a domestic tap for a period of 28 days only.  This is regardless of whether the turf was laid by a landscaper or member of the public
• Newly-bought plants may be watered by a member of the public or landscape professional for a period of 14 days only, regardless of whether planted by a landscaper or member of the public

Representations may for individual projects or uses can be made via the telephone: 0800 1078861 or via the United Utilities website https://www.unitedutilities.com/emergencies/hosepipe-ban-on-the-way2/hosepipe-ban-contact-form/

I have a domestic garden project which cannot be watered without a hose – what can I do?

• A bowser may be filled with water from a depot and taken to a domestic project
• A licensed standpipe may be ordered from United Utilities:
  https://www.unitedutilities.com/faq/water-sewer-issues/how-do-i-order-a-standpipe/
• Install a soaker hose or drip irrigation system, which are exempt from the ban
• Watering cans may still be used  

What are BALI doing to support members?

Together with other trade associations, BALI have proposed measures to water authorities which will ensure professional landscapers have access to water regardless of project and client.  These measures include:

• Offering recycled water to professionals where non-potable water can be used
• Working more closely with manufacturers of equipment which can help save water
• Derestriction of bans for specific landscape projects

These measures will be championed by BALI in the future.

BALI contacted United Utilities to request a total exemption for water use by professional landscapers, but was advised cases would be considered individually at this stage.