Trafalgar Square fountains turned off as part of hosepipe ban denting Jubilee celebrations

April 5th, 2012

FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda

The iconic Grade II-listed London landmark uses half a million litres of water
All ornamental fountains in drought zone hit by water restrictions

By
Tom Gardner

PUBLISHED:

07:36 EST, 5 April 2012

|

UPDATED:

13:37 EST, 5 April 2012

London’s iconic Trafalgar Square fountains will be switched off over the summer to comply with the strict hosepipe ban.

Thames Water has ordered the supply be cut last night as part of a blanket restriction, which includes ornamental fountains, designed to conserve drought-hit reservoirs.

The Greater London Authority said the current water stocks feeding the fountains will run out at the weekend.

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Still waters: The famous fountains in Trafalgar Square have been turned off as part of a hosepipe ban imposed across Southern England as a result of low rainfall this winter

All quiet: Drops of water trickle from the spout a fountain at one of London's top tourist spots

All quiet: Drops of water trickle from the spout a fountain at one of London’s top tourist spots

Run dry: The National Gallery stands behind the eerily still pool where Thames Water has decided to cut water supplies to help drought-hit reservoirs

Something missing: Nelson's Column looms over an unusually quiet Trafalgar Square

Something missing: Nelson’s Column looms over an unusually quiet Trafalgar Square

Negotiations are underway to see if a compromise can be found in time for the arrival of millions of tourists to Trafalgar Square during the Olympic and Jubilee summer.

Thames Water spokeswoman Natalie Slater said: ‘The water use ban covers fountains and Trafalgar Square’s fountains – and other fountains – will have to be switched off.

‘We’ve been speaking to the Mayor’s office. We understand the importance of public spaces – but also councils need to be water efficient, just like other customers.’

The fountains, built in 1845 to
complement Nelson’s Column celebrating victory over Napoleon in 1805,
were to have been a centrepiece of major 2012 events.

They had a £200,000 pre-Olympic refit
in 2009 to increase their height to 80ft and to install coloured
lighting for special occasions. They normally operate every day from
8.30am to 11pm.

Running dry: Tourists may not be able to cool off this summer in London's Trafalgar Square fountains after the water supply was turned off under the hosepipe ban

Running dry: Tourists may not be able to cool off this summer in London’s Trafalgar Square fountains after the water supply was turned off under the hosepipe ban

Disappointment: The fountains had undergone a £200,000 pre-Olympic makeover ahead of the 2012 Games which is expected to bring millions of tourists into the capital

Dry: The River Kennet in the village of Lockeridge, near Marlborough, is just one of many waterways with record low levels as England faces a strict hosepipe ban to combat the drought

Officials said they were in talks with
Thames Water in the hope of finding an alternative non-mains water
supply, or using less mains water or just operating on special occasions
– but Thames Water said the ban is a blanket restriction.

A Greater London Authority spokesperson said: ‘The fountains’ store of water is expected to last several days.

Hosepipe Ban

‘They are supplied by mains water and run on a loop – but we need to add water to keep them running.

‘It’s too early to say if we’ll be allowed a compromise for the Diamond Jubilee and Olympics.

‘Our environmental officers are working with Thames Water to look for an alternative supply, or to keep the fountains running using minimum additional water.

‘We believe Thames Water appreciates the importance of these fountains to London and the country.’

The Grade II-listed fountains hold almost half a million litres of water.

The Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde
Park will not be affected by the ban as it has its own borehole supply –
but around 30 other fountains in London including Venus at Sloane
Square and dozens at Somerset House will stop operating when current
supplies run out.

Bushy
Park’s Diana Fountain, which dates from 1713, could also be switched
off, while other Royal Parks fountains will lose part of their supply
and could be switched off.

The
City of Westminster said its five major fountains would all stop
operating when their current water supply runs out. These are at
Leicester Square, Hanover Square, Bessborough Gardens, St George’s
Square and St John’s, Horseferry Road.

The
Italian Gardens fountains in Kensington Gardens also face running dry
as they are fed by the Westbourne River, which drops in dry periods.

A Royal Parks spokesperson said: ‘The Diana Memorial Fountain uses borehole water and is not affected by water restrictions.

‘There are also boreholes in St James’s Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park and Hyde Park.

‘We use this water to operate some fountains, to top up mains water fountains and increase water re-circulation.’

A Somerset House spokeswoman said: ‘We’re liasing with Westminster Council about water restrictions.’

A
City of Westminster spokeswoman said: ‘Our five major fountains
circulate their water but when this runs out, we will not be allowed to
top up and they will stop operating.’

Video: Statement from Thames Water on domestic water restrictions and fines

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.

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I assume that the restrictions also apply to the use of water cannons.
– ALFRED, St. Leonards, East Sussex, 05/4/2012 23:17
Didn’t know they ever used them!

– Ian, Gravesend UK, 05/4/2012 23:51

There is severe rain (bonus) fall in the wallets of Water Board Directors – they should be re-investing the profits to stop the leaks and not topping up their tanks [bank accounts].

– cynical, London, 05/4/2012 23:49

reply to : – Maris Piper, Letsby Avenue, 5/4/2012 21:17
“… (France Water owns the water in Scotland)”…
Really, I thought Scottish Water unlike in Wales and England, is publicly owned and run.

– skycat, Scotland, 05/4/2012 23:28

Pathetic!

– Mondeo man, Manchester, England, 05/4/2012 23:19

I assume that the restrictions also apply to the use of water cannons.

– ALFRED, St. Leonards, East Sussex, 05/4/2012 23:17

Just put a couple of goldfish in there and then they’re ok to top it up as necessary.

– Grumpy Old Man, Kingston upon Thames, 05/4/2012 23:16

That is the most ridiculous comment (see below) I have ever witnessed. We don’t need reservoirs you dingbat we need more rain!!!!
Instead of sending millions in Aid to all and sundry , dont you think we deserve to have our own Country sorted out first. Maybe with that money we could build more reservoirs.
– wind, In the Willows, 05/04/2012 21:42

– dan, stratford upon Avon, 05/4/2012 23:16

So the population in the Thames Water ‘catchment area’ has been steadily increasing – but Thames water has NOT been steadily increasing reservoir capacity. The only things that have been steadily increasing with Thames Water are the bonuses paid to its Directors. That is what is wrong with this picture. They are letting the system fail while they stop investment in favour of their own wallets.

– Ian W, Reading, UK, 05/4/2012 23:06

That’s alright, thankfully there is nothing quite as quintessentially British as an incompetently handled hosepipe ban.
We really ARE all in it together!

– Minister Of Thoroughly Modern Thinking , Etonia, 05/4/2012 22:52

Who cares about the Olympics, or the water fountains, which should only be using recycled water anyway. Our water is for drinking and living a clean life, It is ours and belongs to us, not some idiotic company ripping us off for what God gave us. Sod them, water is FREE… Telly, Suffolk. God did not provide the means which supplies water to your tap. That is what we all pay for. Don’t like it? Then get your own water!

– Tony, Surbiton, 05/4/2012 22:47

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