In response to the announcement by Welsh Water/Dŵr Cymru Cyfyngedig that a temporary hosepipe ban and water restrictions will be introduced in Pembrokeshire and West Carmarthenshire from August 19, Labour County Councillor for Pembroke Dock Joshua Beynon will be talking to BBC Radio Wales this morning (Friday, August 5) at 8am.
The councillor will be talking about how we need to act now on climate change, and mitigate the impacts of climate change by taking action to protect energy/water usage for the most vulnerable in society.
The full details of the restrictions have been set out in a public notice, published in today’s Observer, the text of which has been reproduced below.
Dŵr Cymru Cyfyngedig gives notice that, pursuant to sections 76 and 76A–C of the Water Industry Act 1991, the following uses of water supplied by Dŵr Cymru Cyfyngedig are restricted.
This notice, and further details concerning the prohibitions, current drought and water efficiency advice may be found on the website of Dŵr Cymru Cyfyngedig here: dwrcymru.com/drought
Water use restrictions will start on 08.00am on 19th August 2022 and continue until further notification. The restriction applies to our Pembrokeshire water resource zone.
Thank you for your support at this important time.
Prohibited Uses
The use of a hosepipe, including using sprinklers, dripper hoses, automatic irrigation systems and similar devices, is prohibited for the following:
- Watering a garden using a hosepipe
- Cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe
- Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe
- Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe
- Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool
- Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use
- 7. Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe
- Fillingormaintaininganornamental fountain
- Cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe
- Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe
- Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe
Note that customers can still undertake the above activities if they use mains water from a bucket or watering can; or use water that is not sourced from the mains such as grey water, rainwater from a water butt through a hosepipe, or private boreholes for example.
The following definitions apply:
- “Using a hosepipe” includes the drawing of water supplied by the company froma container through a hosepipe; and filling a container by means of a hosepipe with water supplied by the company;
- “Garden” includes a park, gardens open to the public, a domestic garden, a lawn, a grass verge, an allotment used for non commercial purposes and any other green space;
- “Hosepipe” includes anything designed, adapted or used to serve the same purpose as a hosepipe. The prohibitions apply whether or not any device is attached to the hosepipe, such as a sprinkler for example; and
- “Using a hosepipe for domestic recreational use” includes operating water slides and other recreational equipment.
These prohibited water uses are covered by the Water Industry Act 1991 section76 as amended by the Flood andWater Management Act 2010. Further definitions may be found in the Water Use (Temporary Bans) Order 2010, which is available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ uksi/2010/2231/contents/made
Statutory Exceptions
Customers who meet the requirements below can continue to use water without having to make representation to Dŵr Cymru Cyfyngedig to receive permission.In using water, it is requested that customers use water wisely and adopt water efficient practices:
- Using a hosepipe for health or safety reasons, where this includes (a) removing or minimising any risk to human or animal health or safety; and (b) preventing or controlling the spread of causative agents of disease;
- Watering plants that are (1) grown or kept for sale or commercial use, or (2) that are part of a National Plant Collectionor temporary garden or flower display;
- Cleaning any area of a private leisure boat which, except for doors or windows,is enclosed by a roof and walls;
- Filling or maintaining a pool where necessary in the course of its construction;
- Filling or maintaining a pool that is designed, constructed or adapted for use in the course of a programme of medical treatment;
- Filling or maintaining a pool that is used for the purpose of decontaminating animals from infections or disease;
- Filling or maintaining a pool used in the course of a programme of veterinary treatment;
- Filling or maintaining a pool in which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity;
- Filling or maintaining a domestic pondin which fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity; and
- Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain which is in or near a fish-pond and whose purpose is to supply sufficient oxygen to the water in the pond in order to keep the fish healthy.
NB Watering areas of grass, which are used for sport or recreation, is coveredby a Statuary Exception for health & safety only in relation to the active strip/playing area, not the entire ground.
Discretionary Universal Exceptions
Customers who meet the criteria below fora Discretionary Universal Exception can continue to use water without having to make representation to Dŵr Cymru Cyfyngedig to receive permission to use water for the following restricted uses. It is requested that customers that meet the requirements fora Discretionary Universal Exception use water wisely and adopt water efficient practices. This applies to Blue Badge holders and those on our Priority Services Register.
- The criteria for a Discretionary Universal Exception include:
- Watering newly laid turf for the first 28 days;
- The watering of newly bought plants for the first 14 days;
- Customers using an approved drip or trickle irrigation system fitted with a pressure reducing valve and timer systems.
Cleaning a private motor-vehicle usinga specific approved apparatus, such as high specification pressure washers
- A hosepipe with a hand operated trigger or a water efficient apparatus;
- Commercial customers that use hosepipes as part of their business for some TUB categories, e.g. hand car washing, window cleaning, graffiti removal).
Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe
- Those using vessels as a primary residence;
- Cases in which the fouling of hulls is causing increased fuel consumption by the drag created;
- For engines designed to be cleaned with a hosepipe;
- To operate water features with religious significance;
- To customers on the company’s Vulnerable Customers List who have mobility issues but are not in possession of a Blue Badge
Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool
- Swimming pools with covers;
- Pools fitted with approved water conservation or recycling systems;
- Paddling pools at early stages of a drought;
- Pools that are subject to significant repair and renovation;
- Filling new pools;
- Swimming pools serving industrial training if considered justified;
- Pools with religious significance.
Cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe
- Where very low water use technologies are employed and approved by the water company;
- For the removal of graffiti.
Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe and Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe
- Cleaning paths or patios or other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe for the removal of graffiti or where very low water use technologies are employed and approved by the water company;
- Small businesses whose sole operations are cleaning of vehicles using hosepipes;
- To prevent or control the spread of non- native and/or invasive species.
Representations
Representations concerning any of these prohibitions may be made in writing by 5pm on 17th August to Water Use Restriction Exceptions, Drought Co-ordinator, Dŵr Cymru Cyfyngedig, Linea, Fortran Road, St Mellons, Cardiff, CF3 0LT or by emailing water. [email protected] citing ‘Water Use Restriction Exceptions’ in the subject line.
If, as a result of any representation,Dŵr Cymru Cyfyngedig decides to vary any terms of the prohibition, a further notice will be published. Subject to this, the prohibitions will have effect from the stated date and will remain in force until further notice.