Top Tips – July

Avoid Using Hosepipes

July’s Top Tip is to avoid using hosepipes. In the summer months it is often tempting to use the hosepipe to do everything in the garden from watering the lawn and plants to cleaning the car and patio. They can be very wasteful and are also not always the best option. Below is some information on hosepipes.

How much do they use?

The average hosepipe uses 170 litres of water for every 10 minutes that it is turned on. That’s almost 19 flushes of a toilet in just 10 minutes. In one hour a hosepipe will use the same amount of water as a whole family would use in 2 days.

What can I do?

There are times when it is easier to use a hosepipe but there are alternatives which might take a little more effort but save lots of water and if you are on a water meter this will save you money as well.

• Clean the car with a bucket and sponge, not a hosepipe.
• It’s actually better for your lawn to water it with a watering can rather and a hosepipe or sprinkler. Hosepipes and sprinklers encourage shallow root growth and are especially bad when the weather is very dry and the ground is hard; the water simply lies on the surface and evaporates.
• Use a watering can to water your plants as well. It is best to use a watering can with a fine ‘rose’ end; they produce smaller droplets which sink into the ground more easily.
• If you do need to use a hosepipe then make sure you can control it; one of the best ways to do this is with a trigger gun attachment to target where and when you use the water.
• Get a water butt so you can collect rainwater to use in the garden (also during the hosepipe ban it is permitted to use a hosepipe if it is attached to a water butt and not the mains water supply)
• Let your grass grow longer to make it more resilient during dry periods
• Add mulch to the soil – this can be a layer of tree bark, compost of coconut husks to keep the sun off the soil and the moisture in
• Report any leaks you see as soon as possible to avoid more waste by calling 0800 330 033 or fill in this online form to report a leak to United Utilities