What a lovely day...

[Old Cruser]

Just jack up Scotland and it'll all flow south - problem solved!

    

[Fly]

I read that due to the industrial background of the north, there's plenty of ressie's, and water.
The shortage is because it's feeding the south.

[simondjuk]

According to Look North, Ladybower Reservoir is 98% full.

So if 98% full and in overflow, where the other 2%?  Heres my proof

[Scimitar]

We should never be short of water anywhere when 2/3rds of worlds surface is covered in it.
Just de-salita, de salinn.., just take the bloody salt out of it!!

[Old Cruser]

Oy!!! The sea would drain then and I wouldn't be able to cruise      

[Scimitar]

HaHa

[Old Cruser]

I read that due to the industrial background of the north, there's plenty of ressie's, and water.
The shortage is because it's feeding the south.

So the south needs to dig deep then and get some more!

[k4blades]

There was an interesting programme on last night about the drought.
Up north we get our water mainly from reservoirs but down south they tend to rely more on bore holes and pump water from below ground, where the water table has fallen a lot more than it has up here.
De-salination plants are a consideration but they are expensive and use a lot of energy just at a time when as a country we should be looking at reducing our energy demands.
And we tend to take our water for granted, we turn on the tap and get drinlking quality water, which we then chuck on our gardens, etc, where as in other parts of the world, drinking water is only used for drinking / cooking and recycled water is used for other chores.
Another interesting point is that there are some that blame the drought on climate change, but climate change models result in us having long dry summers, and mild / wet winters. However, the current drought has been caused by the exact opposite, a couple of mild / relatively wet summers, and dry winters.

[Old Cruser]

Sounds an interesting programme that K4B, and I missed it!!
Bought 3 trays of bedding plants from tesco's last weekend (£3 a tray) but haven't put them in yet - waiting for a warmer day with some sun. 

[Big Dave]

It's ridiculous that we use drinking water to flush the loo - why, for heaven's sake? Surely builders, developers and planners can figure out ways to re-cycle bath/shower water?

We have a rule: If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down. Probably saves us a few gallons a day and doesn't cause any problems.

[k4blades]

It's ridiculous that we use drinking water to flush the loo - why, for heaven's sake? Surely builders, developers and planners can figure out ways to re-cycle bath/shower water?

They can, they can even use the used shower water going down the drain to heat the water replenishing it. (Very popular in Holland).
Problem is, nothings cheap and people in this country would rather spend their cash on flat screens and replacing the 6 month old mobile phone, than thinking about being sustainable.

[Big Dave]

They can, they can even use the used shower water going down the drain to heat the water replenishing it. (Very popular in Holland).
Problem is, nothings cheap and people in this country would rather spend their cash on flat screens and replacing the 6 month old mobile phone, than thinking about being sustainable.

Maybe they can but they don't. I've been looking at new build houses recently, not one offers water recycling. Our TV has a tube in it and my phone is four years old (my old one is used by 'er in doors). I guess I'm the odd one out but I'd far rather save money than pour it down the drain, literally.

[k4blades]

Me and you both Dave,

Some times builders will build a house and aim for a certain level in the "Code for Sustainable Homes", which is a rating system used to encourage things like recycled water. However, as I said such things are expensive so they are usually only used in high spec builds, self builds, etc. The mass market house builders want to be cheap, (Tescos not Harrods), so they don't bother with Code.
Building Regs are meant to be changing again soon, as they do regularly, raising the standards on these issues, but the Govt. are going through a consultation as they are unsure what to do about the changes. On one hand they want to raise the standards, but on the other hand, they don't want to stifle the already weak building / housing market.