A window cleaner from Croydon fears his business could collapse if three water companies successfully get drought orders banning the non-essential use of water this summer.
Glyn Howard, 51, says he and other window cleaners in and around Croydon could be facing their own work drought if water companies are granted the orders from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Part of the drought orders sought by Southern Water, Sutton and East Surrey and Mid Kent water companies will ban window cleaners from using extendable water-fed poles which attach to hosepipes.
However, health and safety legislation prevents window cleaners carrying out most of their work without the poles.
Glyn, a married father-of-two who lives in Addiscombe Road, owns two companies; a window cleaning business employing two others, and the South Norwood-based Omnipole, which manufactures window-cleaning equipment and employs 10.
Glyn, director of the Association for Professional Window Cleaners, said: “A six-month ban on using water-fed poles would be disastrous.
“I work all over the south-east and would be affected by the drought orders. I’m sure other water companies will eventually follow suit.
“For the last few years the window cleaning industry has been moving away from the use of ladders in line with Health and Safety Executive advice and most of us use water-fed poles.
“I won’t even be able to sell any of the water-fed poles we manufacture.”
Water companies have applied for the orders because two dry winters have left water reserves lower than usual.
Southern Water one of the companies applying for the drought order said an outcome was not yet certain and that affected parties would be able to raise concerns and objections before a decision is made next month.
A Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokesman said: “This is about conserving non-essential use of water. It is up to the water companies to apply for these measures, as part of the drought plan, if it doesn’t rain enough.
“As part of the process there is an opportunity for objections to be heard. A planning inspector will consider these responses and report back to the Secretary of State before a decision is made.”
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