When you don’t get in trouble for ignoring it.
So what’s the point of having a hosepipe ban when those who are caught flouting the rules simply get a letter of warning from the water company involved? This is what is happening. For instance, Thames Water has sent out 2900 letters warning people who have been reported by neighbours for ignoring the rules since the ban started in April. I’m sure they were really scared.
Water companies can fine people up to £1000 for doing this, so why aren’t they? I’ll tell you. Because to start fining people would draw even more attention to the inadequacies and profiteering of the water companies.
As we’ve been suspecting for a while on this blog, the hosepipe ban is really just an exercise in pointing out to the public that we have a water shortage in this country and can we all please think about how we use water. Nothing wrong with that and it’d be nice if the water companies would fix their leaks to help the cause, but let’s not bother calling it a hosepipe ban.
A ban in this context is thought of as something punishable by law. This isn’t happening, so what’s the point?
5 replies on “When is a ban not a ban?”
[…] But, as we’ve been saying, if people were actually getting fined, perhaps it wouldn’t happen. So again we ask, what’s the point of the ban? […]
Hi John. Thanks for the comment.
I know the feeling – don’t get me going about driving though! The problem is, very few people actually do anything about these annoyances. They just tend to talk and moan – a bit like me writing a blog about it.
I really like the phrase “civil disobedience”. Maybe it’s the only way to get things done.
I haven’t got the hose out yet, but I am sorely tempted. I am sick of all this institutional incompetence – if its not zero tolerance parking, its road humps or stealth rates by people that hide behind monopolies and government. I think it is time to embark on a campaign of civil disobedience.
Thanks for the comment.
We have mentioned this idea in a previous post and it does seem like an interesting idea. The problem of course is exciting the general public’s imagination and gaining momentum with it.
By the way, your link doesn’t work.
ENFORCE A PAYMENT STRIKE!!!
IF THAMES WATER ARE WASTING 30% OF THE WATER THEY PROVIDE WE SHOULD ONLY PAY 70% OF OUR BILLS – CHECK OUT THIS SITE FOR A CALL TO ACTION – IT’S CALLED THAMES WASTERS WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THAMES WATER ARE:
THAMESWASTERS.CO.UK