About 70 business people turned up to confront a water company over plans to restrict their water use.

Representatives of dozens of industries squared up to Sutton and East Surrey Water at a public hearing yesterday.

The firm, which covers the Gatwick area, has applied to Defra for permission to prevent water being used in the usual way for window cleaning, car washing, to fill private swimming pools, to feed plants and to water sports grounds and playing fields.

In the next few weeks Southern Water, which supplies most of Sussex, and Mid-Kent Water are going for similar bans. They say the measures are needed to cope with the South-East's driest 15-month period since 1933.

At the hearing in a Reigate hotel, professionals gave evidence to justify why they should be excluded from the drought order.

The "non-essential use ban", made possible under 1991 legislation, is intended to outlaw all superfluous water use to ensure there is enough to last the summer.

Defra inspector Ian McPherson is expected to announce his decision in two or more weeks' time.

Professionals such as window cleaners have argued that they will put put of business by the order.

There were also representations from swimming pool maintainers, horticulturists, landscapers and Homebase and B&Q, which said their garden centres would suffer.

John Holbrow, of the Federation of Small Businesses, was there to support FSB members.

He said: "The water company made a comment that there are other jobs for those put out of work in the area.

"That showed a complete lack of understanding about what small businesses and self-employed people are about."

Mr Holbrow, chairman of the FSB's environmental policy unit, was not convinced members would be given special dispensation to carry on using water in their usual way.

He said: "It was a very fair hearing and the inspector did listen to all the points made. My gut feeling is that it isn't going to turn out the way we want it. I am sure that people will be out of work."

Under the ban, window cleaners would not be able to use extendable, water-fed poles. These are standard since health and safety working at height legislation last year outlawed the use of ladders unless there is no other option.

Mr Holbrow said: "For our members, particularly those in the cleaning industry, there is a very difficult situation."

Thursday, March 30, 2006