Council watering Verwood field is 'ludicrous' amid drought

As calls for hosepipe bans grow louder amid the increasingly long spate of dry and warm weather, a small patch of grass in Potterne Park, off Verwood Road, has sprinklers coming from mains in the ground watering the grass. 

One resident said it is “ludicrous” the grass is being watered at a time when water supplies are short. 

Potterne Park has been watered by the council, but some patches remain dead

John Adam said: “The fact that we have an impending drought looming ahead, it is ludicrous Dorset Council are running these sprinklers on a small patch of grass.  

“We’re being asked to take short showers and use water sensibly, but the council are not doing this by watering a small part of the grass. 

“It’s really poor judgement on their part. We all have to make small sacrifices. It’s mad. 

“I walk my dog in the morning and see the sprinklers on, and then again at eight in the evening and it’s still on.” 

Read more: Red fire severity alert for Dorset over risk of wildfires

Sprinklers in the field attempting to bring grass back to life

Although there are no hosepipe bans in place in Dorset, Wessex Water and Bournemouth Water have encouraged customers to use water “responsibly” as an amber heat-health warning and amber extreme heat warning have both been issued. 

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said the sprinklers are moved across the field to maintain the grass, despite the images showing most of the grass is dead. 

The spokesperson added: “The sprinklers at Potterne Park are moved to different parts of the playing fields where they are needed, such as the goalmouths that have been recently reseeded ahead of the football season, and the cricket wicket as the club is currently mid-way through their season.

Read more: Wessex Water and Bournemouth Water on hosepipe ban calls

Potterne Park has been watered by the council, but some patches remain dead

“Being unable to effectively water surfaces that are used by local sports clubs may render them unplayable until weather conditions change.

“If a hose-pipe ban is introduced in Dorset we will obviously change our practices accordingly, but we will need to closely monitor the condition of some areas of the park until weather conditions improve.” 

We asked Bournemouth Water if councils should be watering fields when the country is facing a water shortage. A spokesperson said: “We are asking everyone to think carefully about their water usage and to avoid non-essential water use.”