A hosepipe ban has been in effect in Northern Ireland since Friday and, with the hot weather set to continue, are we about to see further bans across the UK?
Would you be affected by a hosepipe ban?
67
Have your taps ever run dry?
14
Running water is something we take for granted in the UK, but with recent water shortages affecting many areas of the country, is that set to change? And do you know your rights when your supply is cut off? (more on water shortages…)
in Money
How often do you check your utility bills?
17
April is just around the corner and this means that the bills I pay in 8 or 10 monthly instalments, such as water and council tax, are landing on my doormat. Have your bills for the year ahead arrived yet, and have you checked them?
Is your garden ready for a drought?
9
It might not be the case everywhere, but in many parts of the country it seems we could be heading for a drought. So how can you make sure your garden doesn’t suffer? (more on drought warnings…)
What’s wrong with flushing ‘flushables’?
14
All manner of things get flushed down our drains, things that can have quite a nasty impact. The problem is that many of us believe that some ‘flushables’ are indeed flushable, but that’s not necessarily the case…
How could a greater choice of water suppliers benefit you?
63
Ofwat, the regulator of the water and wastewater sector in England and Wales, has published its review of the options for developing greater competition in the household water market. How does the Ofwat report lead to a benefit for you?
in Home & Energy, Money
Has a Homeserve flyer made its way through your door?
64
To my shame, I have little idea about what’s covered by my home insurance. Will my fence, blown down in this week’s storms, be repaired under my policy? Would my water company cover me for a burst pipe?
in Home & Energy, Money
Drowning in flood claims
4
As if things weren’t hard enough for the thousands of people whose homes were flooded or destroyed by the winter storms, they face likely increases in their insurance premiums at their next renewal.
Raise a stink over water companies
75
If I buy food from a shop and it makes me sick, I can sue the shop. If raw sewage seeps into my home and makes my family sick, do I have the same right to sue the owner of the leaking pipes? I don’t.
in Home & Energy, Money
Water bills spill over into credit reports
16
Yorkshire Water has announced it’s started sharing its customers’ payment data with credit reference agency Experian. Could this spell good or bad news for your credit rating?
in Home & Energy, Money
Pushing pipe insurance – what’s in it for your water provider?
26
As if utility bills aren’t high enough, water companies are encouraging us to buy largely unnecessary pipe insurance. But do they have their customers’ best interests in mind?
Your neighbour’s hosing his garden – will you grass him up?
27
Talk to any gardener in southern England and they’re likely to have one topic on their mind: the hosepipe ban. We green-fingered types must put away our hoses and sprinklers and spend hours watering with a can.
Hosepipe bans – are you sceptical or will you do your bit?
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Hosepipe bans are on the way for much of the country this week, but will this really affect your day to day water usage? And what does it mean for the UK in the long term?
Holy drip! It’s a drought – how will you save water?
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The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced an official state of drought for much of the southern and eastern parts of England. Will you take up the challenge to save water?