Hampshire Residents Push Back
"Hard to Accept Morally"
Amid severe drought conditions in a rural village in the United Kingdom, public outrage has erupted after it was revealed that only the luxurious mansion of an American billionaire continued to receive a water supply, while residents faced restrictions on their water usage.
On September 12 (local time), The New York Times and other outlets reported that in Hampshire County, southern England, where residents' water usage had been limited due to drought, a large amount of water was supplied to the artificial lake of a grand estate, sparking controversy. This mansion is owned by Stephen Schwarzman, co-founder and CEO of the American investment firm Blackstone, and is currently undergoing renovation.
Recently, the area has imposed strict restrictions on household water use, including watering gardens, washing cars, and filling paddling pools, due to the ongoing drought. However, construction sites are currently exempt from these regulations, meaning that water use at Schwarzman's property did not constitute a legal violation.
Local residents, who have been enduring inconvenience and abiding by the rules amid the water shortage, have expressed anger over the fact that only the billionaire's mansion was supplied with large amounts of water.
The water supplier, Southern Water, stated that it became aware of the water supply to the mansion following reports from local residents and immediately took action to halt the supply. In a statement, the company pointed out, "Although this is not a violation of regulations, such use of water at this time goes against the efforts of the local community."
In relation to the incident, one village resident commented, "We are living while saving every drop of water, yet some people are able to use as much as they want. It may be legal, but whether it is moral is another question." Another resident complained, "The village entrance is packed with large trucks transporting water," highlighting the inconvenience.
Schwarzman's representatives acknowledged that some of the water used for the lake had been transported from external sources, but clarified that the majority was brought in from outside the region. They added that, upon Southern Water's request, they immediately stopped the water supply and plan to primarily use rainwater to fill the lake going forward.
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