Gardeners Rejoice As Hosepipe Ban's Lifted

Online, June 20, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Three water firms have lifted their hosepipe ban.

In April, seven firms put restrictions on water use to combat concerns of drought in southern and eastern England. The move came after two unusually dry winters.

However, the restrictions were followed by record rainfall across England that month and more rain in May and June.

Figures from the Met Office showed that it has been the wettest April in the UK for over 100 years.

Some areas have seen three times their usual average and it is reported that 121.8mm of rain has fallen, beating the previous record of 120.3mm which was set in 2000.

Anglian Water, Southern Water and Thames Water ended their bans earlier this month. They rely on surface water to get their stocks and the recent downpour has enabled them to lift the ban.

However, South East Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Veolia Water Central and Veolia Water Southeast have confirmed that their hosepipe bans are still in place.

Emma Scott, who works for Turf Supplies Direct, one of the country's leading turf suppliers says they are used to maintaining lawn turf supplies in all weathers.

They advise watering your lawn in the evening and not to panic excessively if you live in an area where the hosepipe ban is still in place.

Most small lawns can be watered very effectively with a watering can fitted with a fine rose.

A grass seed can live for up to 200 years and it will germinate again when the conditions are right. In the dry state of Texas there are complete water restrictions for 10 months of the year and the grass survives.