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Last Updated: Tuesday, 23 May 2006, 05:00 GMT 06:00 UK
Living with drought
Water Week on Breakfast
e-mail your questions to our expert panel
Despite the almost constant rain this week, parts of the UK are still suffering from a drought.

Millions of people who live in and around London are banned from using hosepipes in their gardens - and thousands in Surrey face much tougher restrictions which come into force this weekend.

Two more drought orders have now been granted by the Environment Agency in the Mid Kent and Southern Water regions, with further restrictions on the way.

Water week: day by day

Friday: grey water

Water Week on Breakfast
Bill demonstrating the ban-beater for recycling grey water

Today we looked at the issue of grey water - recycling bath water for use on the garden.

The easiest way to get the water from bath-tub to flower bed is to use a siphon.

Bill and Susanna looked at how the gadgets work - with a gadget in the studio.

The ban beater siphon uses a vacuum to suck water out of the bath and then delivers it via a hosepipe into your garden.

Breakfast's Julia Botfield was in an eco house in Herefordshire which had been constructed and designed to function with minimal water


Thursday: listening for leaks

Water Week on Breakfast
Ear to the ground: Jules listening for water leaks with Thames Water

On Thursday, Julia followed the Thames Water's leak detection teams.

They have a hundred two man teams out overnight literally listening for leaks, and they have to work at night when it's much quieter.

One device used by the teams is an unsophisticated probe with a cone at one end used to listen to running water.

We also caught up with our water meter family - the Walkers from Peterborough.

Mum Julie says her bill has dropped considerably since having a meter but the family haven't consciously tried to use less water.


Wednesday: climate chaos

Climate Chaos Season on the BBC

David Attenborough's journey to discover the state of the planet: a fortnight of programmes, begins on Wednesday 24 May

  • Julia Botfield found out why Blue Peter has become Green Peter for the day.

    What's happening to planet earth?

    That's the big question being asked as the BBC launches its Climate Chaos season of programmes.

    Supported by a dedicated website, it will look at why climate change will affect us all and what can we do about it.

  • We talked live to the BBC's veteran natural history presenter, Sir David Attenborough.

    Once a sceptic on the subject of climate change, he's now changed his mind:

    "You cannot be sure about trends until you have enough back history. But we have now gone beyond the expected natural oscillation of carbon dioxide levels, " he told us.

    "We are heading without any question at all towards changes in temperature which threaten to be extremely serious."

  • You can watch Sir David Attenborough's first programme in the Climate Chaos season tonight at 9pm on BBC One.


    Tuesday: salt water solution

    Julia Botfield
    Julia Botfield asks: is desalination the answer
    Why can't London draw more of its water from the River Thames?

    That's what the local water company - Thames Water - would like to do. But its plans to build a desalination plant to clean up tidal sea water have been blocked by the Mayor Ken Livingstone.

    Thames Water says it would be the first plant in London to take tidal water from the Thames, remove the salt, and pump it through a new pipeline to a reservoir, a few miles north in Woodford, Essex.

    It would supply homes in north east London, would be used mainly during a drought, but could supply 140m litres a day - enough for 400,000 properties.

    Our reporter Julia Botfield's been finding out more.

    We also looked at other ways of solving the water shortage, including moving water from areas in the north where there's water in abundance.

    Danny Savage reported live from York, where the River Ouse has flooded once again.


  • Monday: gardeners' question time

    Chris Beardshaw and Charlie Dimmock with advice for gardeners
    Chris Beardshaw and Charlie Dimmock with advice for gardeners

    We reported live from the Chelsea Flower show, with Chris Beardshaw and Charlie Dimmock.

    They gave us some tips on how to keep your garden looking perfect, when you're not allowed to use a hosepipe.

    Did you know, for instance, that letting the lawn grow a little can help seal in the moisture?


  • Drought: information round-up

    Bewl water: Now in a drought order area
    Bewl water: Now in a drought order area

    If you live in one of the areas where there is a drought order in place, or where one has been applied for, we've put together a special page with detailed information and links for your area.

    The drought order in Sutton and East Surry Water's area, comes into force on Saturday.

    Two other companies have now been granted drought orders, and Thames Water is reviewing the situation in its area on a weekly basis.


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