DROUGHT ORDER 'ON HOLD'

The decision comes after the arrival of average April rainfall and heavier than normal rainfall in May, together with forecasts of average rain in the next few months - this was not the case when Southern Water applied for the orders on March 20 after the driest period since the 1930s.

Therefore, the company will continue to monitor and review the situation rather than implement the orders, granted today by DEFRA, to ban the non essential use of water in Kent and Sussex

Said Southern Water's Chief Executive Officer Les Dawson: "The situation is still serious, with some underground water sources running at near record low levels. Therefore, the restrictions might have to be introduced later this year and it is important that we have today received the authority from DEFRA. However, I am pleased to say the recent wet weather allows us not to implement the orders immediately."

Mr Dawson praised customers for the efforts they had made to avoid wasting water. This coupled with our own efforts, a series of schemes to safeguard water supplies, was helping the situation.

He said: "We are doing all we can to manage the situation. This includes working on over 50 projects to make more water available and move more around the region. We have also doubled the size of our leak detection teams and we have stepped up efforts to promote water efficiency."

The company's drought-busting work includes:

'¢ The reintroduction of an old well in Worthing to meet half of the town's demand for water this summer.

'¢ A scheme to upgrade Burham Water Supply Works in Kent, enabling it to supply a further 12 million litres a day '“ enough to meet the needs of 75,000 people.

'¢ Saving the equivalent of 800 buckets of water for every kilometre of water main by plugging leaks.

'¢ Launching a programme of free water efficiency audits for businesses and schools.

Meanwhile, hosepipe and sprinkler restrictions remain in place in the company's Kent, Sussex and Isle of Wight supply areas.