Hosepipe ban to begin April 5 Published March 22, 2012 By Karen Abeyasekere 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England -- Beginning April 5, a hosepipe (water hose) ban comes into force for all East Anglia residents, in direct response to the drought situation. The ban is being put into action to safeguard future water supplies. Even though the water supplies at RAFs Lakenheath, Mildenhall and Feltwell are provided by boreholes, a policy letter has been issued by the Military Family Housing Office, extending the hosepipe ban to all family housing units on the bases. "RAF Mildenhall sits on East Anglia's primary aquifier, and we share this essential resource with all our local communities," said Steve Perry, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron energy manager. "We must all work together with our local water authorities and respect the need to conserve as much as we can. "Everyone needs to be good stewards of our limited energy and water resources," he said. "Anyone caught breaking the hosepipe ban could be fined £1,000 by the local water authorities (in accordance with the Water Industry Act 1991, Section 76), recently updated by the Water Use (Temporary Bans) Order 2010. "(On base), as directed by Executive Orders, we are required to reduce water consumption by 2 percent each year, regardless of any locally-imposed temporary ban," Perry said. The ban applies to those living all over the East Anglia region, whether British or American, and both military and civilian. According to www.anglianwater.co.uk, banned activities include - but are not limited to - the following: · Watering the garden with a hosepipe · Cleaning a personal motor vehicle using a hosepipe · Watering plants on domestic (at home) or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe · Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming pool or paddling pool, except by using a hand-held container filled directly from the kitchen faucet · Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe, except where fish or other aquatic animals are being reared or kept in captivity · Cleaning walls, windows, paths or patios of domestic premises using a hosepipe Exemptions to the hosepipe ban include any activities necessary for health and safety reasons, such as those necessary to remove or minimize any risk to human or animal health or safety. This includes fire department vehicles, or anything which prevents or controls the spread of anything which could cause disease. Perry advises that all family members must be made aware of the ban. "If you see someone unaware of these measures, inform them immediately," he said. Other ways to help conserve water include: · Skip the pre-wash cycle on washing machines or use the quick-wash option or economy setting · Run only full dishwasher loads · Use the half-flush button on toilets that have it · Save rainwater to water garden plants · Use plugs - don't let the tap run while brushing teeth or shaving · Save water that comes out of the tap as you're waiting for it to heat up · Report any dripping taps to the relevant call desk To report any water leaks at RAFs Lakenheath and Feltwell, call 48th CES Service Desk at DSN 226-2255. For water leaks at RAF Mildenhall, call 100th CES Customer Service at DSN 238-5625. For more information, visit http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/ 2010/29/section/36 (48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs contributed to this article)