Drought Means 20 Million People In England Can't Use Hoses
No hoses, please. (2006 file photo from Knutsford, England.)
No hoses, please. (2006 file photo from Knutsford, England.)
Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesThe words "hosepipe ban" popped up in a lot of headlines today, and since we'd never seen that phrase before we wondered what was going on.
It turns out that 20 million people in south-east England, including London, have been told they can't use hoses to water their gardens, wash their cars, fill their pools, clean their patios and a variety of other things (the BBC has a Q&A on what's allowed and not allowed).
If you get caught using a hose, "there's a $1,600 fine," Larry Miller tells our Newscast Desk.
According to The Guardian, the region is suffering through "one of the worst droughts... since 1976 and [the hosepipe ban] could last into the autumn, or even later."
But watering cans are still OK. (2008 file photo from London.)
But watering cans are still OK. (2008 file photo from London.)
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