Kitchen Garden Forum

Binky wrote:We are trying to find a fair way of charging for water. Any suggestions?

About 15 years ago when I was helping to run a large allotment sire in Leeds we had the same problem. The solution we came up with was to introduce a "hosepipe licence" which permitted the holder to use a hosepipe, but which involved the payment of a much higher water charge (three or four times the normal). For obvious reasons this was voted down. But it might be worth a re-run.

We pay £10 a year for water, its added to the rent from the council. we dont have hose pipe bans, but most people are very careful with the hoses. the water is generally turned off during winter months, and this year didn't get put back on until late in April as we had problems with brockena and leaking pipes.

Individual, locked, seperately metered tap for each plot.

This weekend I planted another twenty-plus squash through my carpet mulch and was able to mould the clay from an inch down into a malleable ball, while the crumb between the potato rows put up dust when hoed.

Thanks for allowing me to rant everyone, I really dont mind paying more for the water, I object to the sheer waste and bloody mindedness of some people. There have been a lot of useful comments and suggestions all of which I will raise at the AGM. I try to point out that the wheatfield at the back of the allotment field is doing fine without water, a little low on yield the farmer says but acceptable.

I will keep you all posted with progress on 'hose-gate'

CoMpO