Gardeners are being encouraged to grass on their green-fingered neighbours if they spot them repeatedly breaching hosepipe bans.
Rule-breakers face fines of up to £1,000 if taken to court, although water companies say they prefer “education over enforcement”.
It comes as the first hosepipe bans – also known as temporary use bans (TUBs) – were introduced on Friday in parts of southern England, with further restrictions earmarked for the south east of England and south west Wales later this month.
Southern Water, whose domestic water-use restrictions are now in place across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, encouraged people to “gently remind” neighbours of the restrictions in place if they saw anyone breaking the rules.
GB News viewers said they would not report their neighbours if they broke the hosepipe ban
GB News
The first hosepipe bans were introduced on Friday in parts of southern England
Gareth Fuller
But GB News viewers appear to disagree with the calls to tell on their neighbours.
GB News asked its viewers on poll published on Twitter today, with the question: “Would you report your neighbours if they broke the hosepipe ban?”
Of the 2,113 respondents, a whopping 91.9 percent voted "no" while just 8.1 percent voted "yes".
A Southern Water spokesman said: “If you see anyone repeatedly breaching the restrictions, please let us know via our customer service team.
“A fine of up to £1,000 can be imposed for any breaches.
“Our approach is one of education rather than enforcement.
“We would like to thank all our customers for supporting these restrictions and for doing your bit to protect your local rivers.”
Any fine would have to be imposed via the courts.
The current restrictions cover using a hosepipe to water a garden, clean a vehicle, or wash windows.
They also include filling a paddling pool, domestic pond or ornamental fountain.
