Kirt Muddle said the leak, on Buckswood Drive, had been ongoing for a week – when he shared a Facebook video, on Monday, July 27.
He said Southern Water has not taken action to rectify it, despite hosepipe bans being in place across the country.
In response to the leak reported on Buckswood Drive, a Southern Water spokesman said: "We’re aware of this leak and our team will be attending to make a repair as soon as practical.
"In the year to April, we’d made more 8000 leak repairs in the region. We've cut leaks for the third year running, and have already secured a further 12 per cent reduction in leaks so far this year.
"Overall, since the launch of our turn-around plan in 2023, leaks are down 23 per cent. We've done this by investing in new technology that helps us find leaks more quickly, so we can fix them.
"We do urge customers to use our leak hotline for urgent bursts on 0330 303 0368 or take a photo on your phone and share it with us here https://www.southernwater.co.uk/help-and-support/report-a-leak-in-a-public-place.”
The leak comes as half of England has now officially been declared in drought following record low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures.
Alongside seven areas officially declared in drought, these areas are now in prolonged dry weather: Kent & East Sussex; Cumbria & Lancashire; Greater Manchester; Merseyside & Cheshire; East Midlands; Lincolnshire & Northamptonshire; the rest of Solent & the South Downs.
Water minister Emma Hardy said: “Our climate is changing, droughts are becoming increasingly common, and we need to be prepared for this new normal.
“We’re delivering long-term change in the water industry and driving record investments in infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs.
“We expect water companies to follow their drought plans, to go further and faster to reduce leaks, and to ensure supplies are not disrupted even in the driest of weather.”
The situation has led to water-use restrictions affecting millions of people, with seven water companies introducing temporary use Bans affecting around 23 million customers.
Southern Water, which serves customers in Crawley, is among the companies with restrictions in place.
The Environment Agency said July has so far seen just seven per cent of its long-term average rainfall across England, falling to just one per cent across southern England.
The authority said 78 per cent of England's rivers are now classified as below normal or lower, while reservoir storage has fallen to 75.3 per cent. The company said residents can report leaks in public places directly to Southern Water.
The Environment Agency has urged people to use water carefully during the drought, with advice including taking shorter showers, turning off taps while brushing teeth or shaving and fixing leaking toilets.
The authority said the current reserves should be enough for the coming months, provided people continue to use less water and follow restrictions, until the next period of sustained rainfall.
The current drought is the third to hit England in the past five years, following droughts declared in 2022 and 2025.
1. Crawley water leak
In response to the leak reported on Buckswood Drive, a Southern Water spokesman said: "We’re aware of this leak and our team will be attending to make a repair as soon as practical." Photo: Sussex World
2. Crawley water leak
In response to the leak reported on Buckswood Drive, a Southern Water spokesman said: "We’re aware of this leak and our team will be attending to make a repair as soon as practical." Photo: Sussex World
3. Crawley water leak
Kirt Muddle said the leak, on Buckswood Drive, had been ongoing for a week – when he shared a Facebook video, on Monday, July 27. Photo: Kirt Muddle
4. Crawley water leak
In response to the leak reported on Buckswood Drive, a Southern Water spokesman said: "We’re aware of this leak and our team will be attending to make a repair as soon as practical." Photo: Sussex World