WE FACE the possibility of a hosepipe ban in our area.
With seemingly increasingly hot and dry summers perhaps this will become a reality more often.
I find it interesting how we behave when faced with a possible water shortage.
It makes us appreciate and value water – we suddenly remember how precious it is, and how for some across the world it is a luxury – a scarcity.
I find myself thinking like this when, faced with a water leak, we have to turn the water off at the mains.
How much we take it for granted – switch it off and we cannot drink, cook, wash clothes, or flush the toilet.
As we face a hose pipe ban this summer can we perhaps choose not to run the shower to warm up – or to collect that water for our wilting plants?
Is the dishwasher as full as it could be? Could we turn off the tap for a few seconds as we lather the soap to wash our hands?
When millions of people participate, it makes a big difference.
It may be frustrating, as summer holidays begin, not to whip out the paddling pool, but we can remember again the scarcity and precious nature of the water we take for granted.
And remember too those who cannot, like us, turn on taps to provide the water they need to drink, wash and cook with.
Revd Hannah Higginson is Rector of All Saints Church, where Sunday services take place at 9.30am.
For information, visit: allsaintswokingham.org.uk
