Warning: water off for Winter

Merton has turned off the water supply to the Site. The Site has a single supply for its stand pipes and tanks, its toilets and the kitchen in the John Gray Centre.

Merton Council's published aim for its allotments is to turn off the supply every autumn and turn it on again in the spring. Merton imposes on idverde a contractual duty to take responsibility for management of water at the Site including turning the water off and on to coincide with the growing season and to prevent freezing and burst pipes.

The intention is to protect the exposed parts of the system from the possible effects of icy weather. In practice, this means no water, flushing toilets or kitchen facilities during November to February (Winter).

The Management Committee of CPAGA knows that people visiting the Site during Winter value the availability of flushing toilets. The Committee has explored, through idverde, whether, with the help of volunteers, water can be available during some periods over Winter when the risks from icy weather are remote. However, it appears that is not possible unless those volunteers bear themselves all of the financial consequences if ever the system were damaged.

During periods when flushing toilets are not available, the Committee tries to warn people with notices on the toilets and on its web site. Unfortunately, last Winter, such notices were vandalised.

During periods when the toilets do not flush, the Committee asks that people use a bucket of water from a tank to flush the toilets after use to be considerate of other people.