Downing Street has no plans to introduce a ban on hosepipes in and around the Prime Minister’s residence, the Guardian has revealed, despite ministers calling on water companies to impose restrictions.
Thames Water, which supplies the No 10, said on Tuesday it would introduce water rationing in the coming weeks due to prolonged dry conditions.
When asked whether hoses would continue to be used in No 10 garden or to wash the cars used to transport residents around, a spokesman for the Prime Minister said there was no current ban in place, although they added that the household “takes steps to reduce water used across the Downing Street site’. However, that does not include the hose ban, they said.
Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat environment and countryside spokesman, called on Boris Johnson to set an example for the rest of the country by cutting water use and draining the swimming pool at his Chequers country residence, which is also fed by Thames Water.
The spokesman declined to comment on whether the pool would be drained, saying it was a matter for the Checkers Trust. However, the Prime Minister controls things at Chequers, and Margaret Thatcher famously stopped heating the pool during an energy crisis that occurred when she was Prime Minister.
In a letter to Johnson, Farron said: “Your gracious estate, Checkers, is in an area which will be subject to a hosepipe ban. At a time when millions of people across the country are making sacrifices, it is vital that you show leadership.
“While people across the country were following the rules during Covid, you were partying in Downing Street. Now that millions are doing the right thing and reducing their water use, can you confirm whether you will commit to doing this at Chequers? Will you eliminate the use of hoses and stop refilling your private pool?
“It would be hypocritical to continue to maintain a private pool while gardens dry up, children’s pools sit empty and farmers can’t water their crops.”
The entire country is bracing for water restrictions during the record dry weather, with some areas not seeing significant rainfall since June.
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Leaked documents seen by the Guardian this week show that water companies serving areas from Yorkshire to Dorset have applied for drought permits which would allow them to introduce bans.
At the weekend, Environment Minister George Eustice called on water companies to introduce restrictions.
The National Drought Panel, which will decide whether there is an official drought, meets on Friday.
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