AN ANDOVER resident has been left angry and upset after discovering hosepipes can still be used at allotments, despite the current ban.

As previously reported, a hosepipe ban for much of Hampshire, including Andover, has been put in place by Southern Water.

The restrictions on water use are the result of a particularly dry summer coupled with record-breaking temperatures.

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Low water levels in the rivers Itchen and Test have also led to the ban, which is due to remain in place indefinitely.

It is the first time since 2012 that a limit of this kind is imposed in areas across the region.

Mark Wisniewski, who lives on Kings George Road, informed Southern Water after he spotted several residents "watering their vegetables" at The Drove allotments, which are managed by Andover Town Council. 

However, he was less than impressed with their response.

He said: "We have currently got the hosepipe ban here in Andover and I was quite annoyed on Monday (August 9) when I happened to look out my window and I see residents in allotments across from me using hosepipes.

"I phoned up the waterboard (Southern Water) to notify them, to be a good citizen if you like, and they could not explain to me why."

He continued: "I said 'well I will go and use my hosepipe then' and they said 'well you can't do that you will get done' and I said 'well why are they allowed to use it?' and they just could not explain."

Town council clerk Wendy Coulter confirmed that "allotment holders are exempt from the ban".

A letter from the The National Allotment Society, seen by the Advertiser, reads: "The National Allotment Society have successfully obtained an exemption for all Allotment Sites in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in connection with the hosepipe ban. 

"We all need to be mindful of our precious water resource and Southern Water have asked that our members use the supply sparingly. This does mean that members who struggle to carry water to their plots will be able ensure their produce survives the extreme drought conditions."

Mr Wisniewski said the situation is 'unfair'. He said he knows that many allotment holders have vegetable patches but said "I also have vegetables in my garden but I am not allowed to use the hosepipe".

He added: "What is going on, it just does not make sense."

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The ban was introduced last week on Friday, August 5, with further restrictions earmarked for the South East of England and south-west Wales later this month.

As previously reported, Southern Water has encouraged people to “gently remind” neighbours of the restrictions in place if they saw anyone breaking the rules.

Southern Water has been contacted for comment but no response was received.

On August 9, the decision was overturning by a Southern Water executive, meaning the allotments are no longer exempt.