Hosepipe ban debate

Levels at Arlington Reservoir are currently at 96 per cent compared to this time last year when it stood at 71 per cent capacity.

Meanwhile, at nearby Ardingly Reservoir, the water is just one per cent short of its capacity '” at 99 per cent.

Customers are still being warned that another summer with water restrictions could be a possibility if underground aquifers do not fill up.

Recent rainfall and efforts by water-conscious members of the public are helping the region recover from a serious drought.

Around 70 per cent of water supplies '” which are piped to homes in Eastbourne, Polegate and the surrounding villages, come from underground sources '” with the remaining water abstracted from rivers and reservoirs.

David Shore, director of assets for South East Water, said, ''We are constantly monitoring the situation but continue to take a cautious approach by keeping the restrictions in place for the moment.

''We need to be confident these sources, on which we rely most, are recovering enough for us to be able to meet demand for water next spring and summer.''

The hosepipe ban remains in place despite the recent rainfall. At the moment the water company is waiting to see a significant rise in levels in many of their underground aquifers after two back-to-back dry winters.

With continued rainfall, levels are expected to rise in the underground sources by early 2007, when a decision will need to be made as to whether the current hosepipe ban will continue.

A spokeswoman for South East Water said, ''Many rivers and reservoirs are now at much higher levels than at this time last year, thanks to wet weather in the autumn and our customers using water sensibly.

''However, each water company is in a unique position in terms of how much rain has fallen in their region and the water resources available to them.

''This is because the range of water sources -'” rivers, reservoirs and underground aquifers '” can vary from company to company, just as the amount of water available in each of these sources can too.''

More water saving advice can be found at the company's website at www.southeastwater.co.uk/