Government proposals to restrict the use of water under water company bans could destroy the hot tub industry
"Government proposals to restrict the use of water under water company bans could destroy the hot tub industry!" says hot tub industry spokesman Allen Brobyn.
The Managing Director of BISHTA, the hot tub industry trade association, was responding to the announcement of new Government proposals to extend the list of "non-essential" uses of water which could be banned during periods of water shortage.
Ironically, these proposals put into the hands of the water companies, who are responsible for losing millions of gallons of water a day through leakages, the power to deny owners of hot tubs the use of these facilities which are well-known to provide therapeutic and stress relieving benefits. Not only that, a ban in a water company area could seriously affect sales of hot tubs in that area.
"Who will buy a new hot tub when they cannot even fill it with water to use it?" asked Brobyn. "Hot tubs consume minimal amounts of water - less than half a daily shower for one person. It is scandalous to put a whole industry at risk for the sake of what amounts to a thimbleful of water compared to the losses tolerated from the water companies."
This is the BISHTA response to consultation on proposed changes to powers to restrict non-essential uses of water which was included in the response submitted to Defra by the British Swimming Pool Federation.
Summary
- Hot tubs consume less water daily than a single household shower
- A ban on filling new hot tubs will destroy the market for this product
- Sensible water conservation measures are already practised in this sector
- Hundreds of small and medium size companies in this industry will be seriously affected by bans and Drought Orders
- We do not believe a non-essential uses ban should apply to hot tubs.
Comparison of daily average water usage
| Litres/day | litres/day for a family of 4 | |
| Household bath | 100 | 400 |
| 2 minute shower | 35 | 140 |
| domestic pool | 66 | 66 |
| hot tub | 16 | 16 |
Should the Secretary of State be given power to extend the prohibition list?
We do not believe that extending the prohibition list is going to address the real issue of major water leakage by the water companies, while they make millions in profits from customers who do not have a choice in suppliers.
Before imposing further restrictions on paying customers of the water companies, the companies and OFWAT should make more effort to cut leakage losses, which dwarf the water usage of their customers with pools and spas. (Quote from Edward Leigh, Chairman of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee "Ofwat has been passive in its regulation of the water industry ... nowhere is its limp attitude demonstrated more clearly than in the case of the serious wastage of water by Thames Water.") Besides the well-publicised profligate waste of water by Thames Water, Severn Trent Water has recently been fined for failing to meet its leakage targets. The water companies and the Government should work together to increase surface water storage capacity, as well as seriously addressing the potential for moving water from areas where there is a surplus to those where there is a deficit, such as the South East.
How much water do hot tubs use?
The average hot tub holds about 1,500 litres. Once filled, it is heated, filtered and chemically treated and the water is recycled within the unit, so no effective water loss takes place. Most hot tubs have a fitted heat retaining cover which, when the tub is not in use, limits the evaporation loss in the same way as a swimming pool, but the potential loss of water through evaporation is minimal due to its much smaller volume. BISHTA trade standards recommend that the water in a hot tub is fully changed about every three months for hygiene reasons. This therefore gives an annual water usage of 6,000 litres or 16 litres a day - less than half the water used in a daily 2 minute shower.
Economic effects
The hot tub market has seen rapid growth in recent years, with probably some 600 or more companies involved in the market. A ban on filling new hot tubs on installation would destroy the market totally, as customers are not going to buy a product which they will not be able to use until after the ban is lifted, which on recent evidence is likely to last for several months. Existing products already installed in customers' homes will also be affected, as hot tub owners will be exposed to a much greater risk of water-borne infection such as legionella if they are unable to make regular water changes. We do not believe it is justifiable to destroy an industry that provides pleasure to the public, as well as well-documented therapeutic benefits to all age groups, to save a minimal amount of water. At the very least, we must insist that initial filling of new purchases of hot tubs should be exempt from the ban, so that customers are not deterred from making purchases for fear of not being able to use them.
We would be happy to meet Ministers and Defra officials to discuss these proposals in more detail, and look forward to your response.
14th June 2007