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I havent cleaned my cars since the hosepipe ban, but have cleaned the wheels using a bucket etc and when doing this yesterday my neighbour told me about his mate who runs his jetwash from a bucket of water, so not thinking it would work I tested it and lo and behold, my jetwash works perfectly 'connected' to a bucket, just sucks up the water and pushes it out at full pressure.

Now is this against the hose pipe ban? The estate where I live, there are many people still cleaning their cars, but obviously just using buckets of water instead of hoses.

Anyone know? From looking at 3valley waters web site its seems to say its illegal to use a hose pipe or jetwash, but when connected to the mains (tap) - which is what I thought.

Dunc

Wouldn't have thought it would be a problem. The irony is you use less water with a pw than a hose!!!

Your drawing the water the same as just using the bucket and sponge. The ban doesn't say how you should apply the water to your car.

Flippin peeing down t'up noth atm my car is filthy!

Have they not issued a draught order today?

No washing of cars except windows?

Just rang the water co to check but thick customer service staff wont listen - you cant use a jet wash to wash a private car, but I said I know (under general circumstances), but I'm not drawing the water from the mains, but from a bucket. Their web site says:

"What does a hosepipe ban mean? A ban means you cannot use a hosepipe to water a private garden or wash a private car . The definition of a private motor car includes any mechanical vehicle eg. Motorbikes, taxis, minicabs, caravans and trailers. Buses are not covered by the ban as they are public service vehicles and push bikes are also not included but we're appealing to our customers to use a bucket of water throughout the duration of the ban. It also bans use of garden sprinklers and irrigation systems , connected to the mains water supply, (including micro-irrigation, seep hoses, drip feed systems). We are asking our customers to be sensible about using water elsewhere around the home (see examples in the garden and home sections below). A hosepipe ban helps to reduce the demand for water and it also raises awareness of the drought

"Does the restriction apply to jet washes? It only applies if the jet wash is used to wash a private car but for other uses such as washing windows and patios, we would encourage our customers to be sensible about their use and consider whether it's really necessary during the drought"

I'm annoyed now

I think I might go fill up my pool, then let the water out, then do it again

SimonS4MTM wrote:Have they not issued a draught order today?

No washing of cars except windows?

Not on their website so I would say not for Three Valleys - I mean I dont want to break the law on it but the whole estate is using buckets

dunc

In my opinion you use more water with a bucket than with a hose. At least with a hose you can control where the water goes.

So you can wash a patio!!!! At my last house I jetwashed the drive to get the moss/grime off the concrete. Took me 8 hours to do it...something like 3000 ltrs of water. Stupid flippin rule, driveway ok!

Just wash the driveway and keep overspraying the car!

Patio/Drive is because of health and safety - worse than that is you can fill a pool!

When i spoke to them they couldnt get past the word jetwash, well that equals no - I think the ban is when attaching these to a mains supply at your house myself but..

Dunc

Depends on your neighbours then...I am sure if you had a bucket feeding the pw you'll be fine. It just a case if any bizzybody neighbour would feel resentful enough to report you.

Have I been asleep? What hosepipe ban? Never heard a dickie bird here... Presume they monitor your meter? As I am a mile from the nearest house.

This hose pipe ban is causing me a little concern, some of the water authorities are being a little obtuse when you mention jet washes - but not all.

Thames Valley Water have given me approval to use a static tank to feed a jet wash...simple enough set up that cost me £3.00 in total. Plastic storage box fitted with a tank connection and a "hoseloc" fitting.
Seem quite happy for me to use it providing I don't fill the tank from a hose pipe that doesn't exceed 3-4 feet in length...eh!!
Tank measures around 2ft x 1ft x 1.5ft and holds more than enough water to wash 3 cars.





All confirmed as acceptable by mail and a traceable enquiry reference should I be pulled up...be testing their word in the next 10 days or so

Dave

Good idea Dave... is that three cars or one RS6?

Some award winning posts here gents, very funny... I am sure that for you lot darn sarf its damn frustrating how the bureaucrats interpret life when they make their rules.

I am not exaggerating but we have had savage rain here today (I know 1 days rain doesnt make any difference in the scheme of things) but my road is nearly flooded for the entire width from kerb to kerb, only the crown of the road is showing. Now the suns come out to blind everyone whos driving!

It was flooded near here on Friday - it still rains down here!

Ps - It is Sutton who have gone the next step and banned water for commercial use as well as private.

@ Dave, so what you do should be no more than what i tried with a bucket right? Do you have some form of commercial dispensation?

Dunc