HOSEPIPE BAN TO REMAIN IN FORCE

The firms will update the Minister of what actions have been taken to combat the 'ongoing drought'.

It will continue to impose a hosepipe ban.

Regulators and consumer groups will also be represented to discuss the prospect of a third dry winter,

South East Water will report on a variety of actions, including confirming that the company has met its tough leakage targets and continues to make it a top priority, and carried out the following in preparation for next summer:

Investing 3 million in replacing old water mains with new pipes;

Fast tracking investment schemes to help increase supplies;

Identifying disused water sources that can be brought back into use.

The Beat the Drought Alliance is, from Monday, also re-launching www.beatthedrought.com with a fresh new look.

Since its launch in March 2006, over 130,000 people have visited the site to get advice on the latest situation, and find out where restrictions are in force and what they can do to help.

A company spokesman said: 'While many of the region's rivers and above ground reservoirs are showing good signs of recovery, the picture across the region remains varied and ultimately uncertain until we know how much rainfall there will be this winter.

'That is why planning for a third dry winter is well under way, and focuses on continuing and increasing many of the actions outlined above. Along with other water companies and the Environment Agency, South East Water is identifying what measures it will need to take to secure water supplies in 2007 based on a range of rainfall scenarios.

'This work is being done throughout the vital 'recharge period' between October 2006 and March 2007, when we would normally expect underground water supplies to refill.

'With sufficient rainfall, the ground becomes saturated, there is less evaporation, and rainwater has more chance to percolate its way down to the vital underground sources which provide three quarters of the region's supplies.

'However, until we are confident there has been sufficient rainfall to refill these underground sources to meet customer demand for water next summer, South East Water is among six companies which are keeping hosepipe and sprinkler bans in place at the present time.'