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Changes to hosepipe bans unveiled Changes to hosepipe bans unveiled
(about 7 hours later)
Householders may not be allowed to wash their windows during a drought, under plans to tighten up hosepipe bans to be announced by the government later. Householders in England and Wales may be unable to wash windows during a drought under plans to tighten hosepipe bans to be announced by the government.
The bans, which can be introduced by water firms, already cover washing cars and watering gardens with a hosepipe.The bans, which can be introduced by water firms, already cover washing cars and watering gardens with a hosepipe.
From spring they could also forbid filling pools and cleaning patios - but school swimming pools and private pools for medical use would be exempt.From spring they could also forbid filling pools and cleaning patios - but school swimming pools and private pools for medical use would be exempt.
Ministers are expected to say they are preparing for a possible drought.Ministers are expected to say they are preparing for a possible drought.
The dry weather of 2005 and 2006 led to empty reservoirs and hosepipe bans that affected about 13 million people.The dry weather of 2005 and 2006 led to empty reservoirs and hosepipe bans that affected about 13 million people.
The plain fact is we can no longer use drinking water for luxuries at times of crisis Phil WoolasThe plain fact is we can no longer use drinking water for luxuries at times of crisis Phil Woolas
The changes would give water companies powers to curtail domestic water use not covered in current laws introduced more than 50 years ago.The changes would give water companies powers to curtail domestic water use not covered in current laws introduced more than 50 years ago.
Under the planned restrictions, a long list of water-related activities will be added to the list.Under the planned restrictions, a long list of water-related activities will be added to the list.
The restrictions would reportedly cover cleaning a patio, filling pools or ornamental ponds, as well as using pressure hoses would be prohibited.The restrictions would reportedly cover cleaning a patio, filling pools or ornamental ponds, as well as using pressure hoses would be prohibited.
JacuzzisJacuzzis
However, watering registered collections of plants would also be among the non-essential uses of water permissible under the new restrictions.However, watering registered collections of plants would also be among the non-essential uses of water permissible under the new restrictions.
Environment minister Phil Woolas told the Sunday Telegraph: "The plain fact is we can no longer use drinking water for luxuries at times of crisis.Environment minister Phil Woolas told the Sunday Telegraph: "The plain fact is we can no longer use drinking water for luxuries at times of crisis.
"These new measures may seem harsh to some but future droughts, especially in southern England, are inevitable and we have to act.''"These new measures may seem harsh to some but future droughts, especially in southern England, are inevitable and we have to act.''
He said the current drought order law, which was introduced in 1945, urgently needed updating because it was designed for a time when people did not have jacuzzis or hot tubs.He said the current drought order law, which was introduced in 1945, urgently needed updating because it was designed for a time when people did not have jacuzzis or hot tubs.