In This Issue
Squires grow to 16 centres with purchase of Heathlands from Wyevale
Canadian Cannabis Grower buys UK Bedding and Ornamental Grower
Growing Sustainably with Vegepod
Primeur take top prize as GIMA Award winners announced
2020 – Work begins for creative minds and practical brains of Garden Pride
Smart Garden Products voted GCA Supplier of the Year
Picture Special of the glitzy GIMA Awards evening
A cheque for £8,000 presented to Greenfingers
Hillier to supply plants on a contract-only basis from December
Choice Marketing recruits three new members
Heat takes the edge off sales
Ansell GC rises from the ashes...with Newspan in support
Dobbies submits plan for Dunfermline expansion
2019 plant sales down on 2018 at half year
Fryers launch two charity roses at Hampton Court Garden Festival
Growers stay upbeat despite labour and plant health challenges
Two step up to centre manager roles at Squire's
See you all at Solex
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Solex Awards to be presented at the show on Tuesday
End of June was too hot for garden product sales
Smart Garden Products makes Stock Exchange 'inspiration' list
Growing Media leads the way
Planners throw out Fresh@Burcot housing application
Wild Bird Care holds its own
GCA announces regional award meetings
Veg--2-Gro is a star for 2019
Candleight ignites garden centre interest with new display unit
Five winning plants for 2020? Try these...
Choice adds three more garden centres
The best of last week's
The magnificent GIMA Team WingWalk for Greenfingers Charity
GYO leads the way as Dobbies roll out Elho concept
Garden Centre Photo Tour - RHS Wisley New Plant Centre
Hillier begins re-brand of four former Wyevales
Beware hosepipe 'backflow' warning as weather warms
New Hopetoun Gardens owners hand control to employees
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
It’s a chaotic yet profitable recipe for garden centre catering
Work starts on new 250-seater restaurant at Notcutts Woodbridge
Send us your news and great ideas

Contact us with your news. 

Email neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk, or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700






Beware hosepipe 'backflow' warning as weather warms

WaterSafe is alerting households about the potential health risks of using a garden hosepipe for watering and cooling off if simple safety measures aren’t followed.

 

The UK register (supported by all UK water companies) of approved plumbers warns that hosepipes that are incorrectly fitted, or left submerged in places like ponds, watering cans or paddling pools, can cause illness when dirty water ‘backflows’ into the drinking water supply.

 

The best way to stay safe – and save water – in hot weather is to swap the hosepipe for a watering can. However, for those using a hosepipe, WaterSafe has compiled a list of tips, backed by The Royal Society for Public Health.

  • Fit an approved double check valve to hosepipes to prevent any water, or contaminants from the garden, ponds or paddling pools, flowing back into your mains drinking water supply.
  • Don’t place hosepipes in drains, garden ponds, buckets or watering cans where they can be submerged as contaminated water could be siphoned back into your homes’ drinking water pipework.
  • Turn off your hosepipe at the tap and ideally fully disconnect it when not in use.
  • Fit a self-closing flow control, such as a trigger spray gun, to prevent it being used when unattended.

 

 

Hosepipes can become a breeding ground for potentially harmful bacteria including legionella, which thrives in warm, stagnant water. Aerosols (a very fine spray which cannot be seen by the human eye) are formed when the hosepipe is used and can be inhaled and lead to legionnaires’ disease.

Whilst legionnaires' disease (a form of pneumonia) is rare, it can cause serious illness or even death particularly to the elderly or those with underlying illness.  These simple steps will help to protect people:

  • Keep your hose somewhere cool and out of the sun.  Particularly, don’t use a hosepipe that has been sitting around and full of warm water to fill a hot tub. The warm water within the tub will allow bacteria – including Legionella and Pseduomonas aeruginosa (a bacteria that can cause a nasty itchy rash) – to quickly grow.
  • Gently run the water out of the hose before you use it – without any form of spray attachment on the end. 
  •  

Julie Spinks, director of WaterSafe, said: “We’re encouraging everyone to follow these simple safety measures to not only help avoid contaminating your drinking water supply but also reduce the risk of contracting a serious illness.

“A WaterSafe approved plumber will be happy to help If you need help fitting an approved double check valve. They’re specially trained in the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws that help keep the UK’s drinking water safe.

“Better still, using a watering can instead of a hosepipe is much more water-efficient and won’t pose a risk to your drinking water supply.”

 

For more information about Legionnaires’ disease and hosepipe safety from health expert Dr Susanne Lee, director of Legionella Ltd, check the WaterSafe blog.

Share | Comment (0)
Comment
Name:*

Email Address:*

Comment:*