SOME people are calling for a hosepipe ban amid concerns that there will be a national drought.

The National Infrastructure Committee has said water needs to start being managed better across the UK, otherwise the country could face a future of queueing for emergency bottled supplies “from the back of lorries”.

It comes as Southern Water is set to impose the temporary use ban on its customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from tomorrow, August 5.

This will mean that they cannot be used to water gardens or clean cars, and ornamental ponds and swimming pools must not be filled.

Most water in Wiltshire is supplied by Wessex Water, which is not too concerned at this stage.

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “There are no supply problems in the Wessex Water region but we always encourage our customers to use water responsibly for the benefit of everyone and the environment.”

But what would people in Wiltshire make of the rule, if a hosepipe ban were to come into force?

Melanie Boyle had her say on our Facebook discussion, commenting: "Developers should be installing water recycling for toilets and gardens on new builds now, not leaving it until at last 2025.

"Wessex Water doesn't repair leaks and then we get bans." 

Kate Tivney raised some different matters on the page.

She said: "My question is, why do we live on an island surrounded by water and not have desalination plants?

"I’m guessing the answer might involve costs but surely if global warming is really happening, this should be on the agenda?" 

Tim Webb also had some opinions on the impact of climate change.

He said: "If everyone stopped washing cars and watering their lawns then we would be fine.

"It amazes me that people water their lawns and moan about climate change." 

Some feel that Wiltshire is the best place to be if the UK is to experience a drought.

Joseph Blake said: "Wiltshire's aquifers are some of the largest in the country.

"It's why the rest of England always has a hosepipe ban and Wiltshire often doesn't." 

July has been the driest month on record, with hardly any rainfall - according to the Met Office, which is the main reason people are expecting water shortages.

Mark Lloyd, from The Rivers Trust, told The Observer: “There needs to be a nationally co-ordinated publicity campaign to reduce water use, and universal water metering.”

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