this post was submitted on 25 Aug 2026
13 points (100.0% liked)

Europe

985 readers
149 users here now

Europe community on dbzer0. Intended to be a place to discuss European news, politics, or just general topics from a European perspective. Since this is on dbzer0 expect the community to lean more leftist-anarchist but a wide range of views are accepted here (within reason).

Rules:

1. No Bigotry or Hate SpeechAny forms of Homophobia, Transphobia, Queerphobia, Racism, or Ableism will be met with swift and harsh action and will not be tolerated here whatsoever. Bigots will be banned immediately on-sight. This includes apologia of it. Trying to be politely or intellectually bigoted i.e. "Just asking questions" won't be tolerated.

2. No ZionismAny forms of Zionism or Zionist rhetoric will not be tolerated here, this includes Zionist apologia, accusations of antisemitism towards anti-Zionists, or blatant denial or downplaying of the genocide towards Palestinians. Any attempt to uphold or prop up the IHRA definition of antisemitism, will be treated as Zionism. Anyone engaging in Pro-Zionist sentiment or apologia will be actioned in accordance with its severity. Claiming well proven or personally admitted actions by Zionists are "antisemitic conspiracy theories" may get you banned with content removal without warning.

Apologizing for Germany's compelled speech laws in any way here is also considered a violation as these laws uphold the IHRA definition of antisemitism. You will be banned if you apologize for Germany's speech laws. No questions asked.

Note: Trying to find loopholes or whataboutery to see what is or isn't genocide denial or Zionism will be treated as a violation of this rule. Don't test us.

3. Stay CivilPlease maintain civil discourse in the community. Do not engage in arguments with others, name-calling, or insults. Note that calling out bigotry or Zionism is not considered an insult. In heated arguments users are encouraged to or even required to disengage failure to do so will result in mod action.

4. No MisinformationSpreading of misinformation intentionally in this community is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Spreading misinformation hurts the credibility of the community and can mislead people sometimes in dangerous ways. Users who intentionally post misinformation as articles, comment answers, or in attempt to win arguments will be actioned swiftly.

Note: This includes Russian and Chinese propaganda. Users with a history of such posting will be banned on sight.

5. No AI ContentPlease do not post articles or content primarily created using generative AI. Generative AI content may contain misinformation or be lower quality and thus is discouraged. Posts and comments featuring it will be removed. However this community does not allow or tolerate Anti-AI trolling or hostility and users who engage in such behavior will be actioned for it, additionally Anti-AI trolling violates Rule 3 and often Rule 4 so it is generally unacceptable already.


Note: Rules 1 & 2 may be subject to preemptive mod action due to their severity, and they apply to a user's entire post history. Not just this community.

Harassment towards any moderators or attempts to incite attacks against mods will forfeit your right to appeals.


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

Asian and Muslim communities have been told to wash their rice and feet less in a water-saving push. Ofwat, the water industry regulator, has been criticised for funding “bizarre” guidance targeting ethnic minority households.

It used £270,000 of billpayers’ money for a research initiative that used a celebrity chef to teach Southeast Asians how to cook and wash rice with less water. Muslims were also encouraged to use only a litre of water when performing ritual ablutions known as “wudu” before prayer.

The water industry has come under increased scrutiny following the long, dry summer which has left much of the country under hosepipe bans, sparking concerns customers could be penalised with higher bills under schemes to limit water use and fund improvements to the network.

Andy Burnham was reported to be preparing an intervention this week after The Telegraph revealed that Ofwat, the regulator, planned to allow firms to build “surge pricing” into bills from April during periods of water scarcity.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] thisislieven@europe.pub 9 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Well this is offensive if not blatantly racist. They could also just present general guidelines on cooking and personal hygiene and people can figure out how it applies to their personal situation.

How do things like this keep happening? (well, I know why but jfc)

More generally - most people don't use excessive water. The problem really lies elsewhere, perhaps focus on that.

[–] spinne@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 weeks ago

It's blatantly hateful. Which makes the most sense: issuing guidance to the largest ethnic group (white, about 94% in South Staffordshire) on saving water, or two specific minority groups (Asians and Southeast Asian Muslims, < 3% combined in South Staffordshire)?

As you point out, it's generally not people in households that are using too much. They could have started with a general campaign to every account or by looking at types of water users and which types had the highest consumption. They didn't, though.