OUSE DROUGHT ORDER SOUGHT

The company has applied to the Environment Agency for a Drought Permit on the River Ouse at Barcombe, East Sussex.

If granted, the Permit would allow South East Water to amend its current abstraction licence on the River Ouse at Barcombe, for six months only. This would allow the company temporarily to increase the amount of water it takes from the river at Barcombe, but still within strict limits.

By taking more of the river's natural flow, less water will have to be used from Ardingly Reservoir. This will ensure there is enough water in Ardingly, a strategic water resource which serves large parts of East and West Sussex, if the next few months continue the trend of lower than average rainfall.

The company has undertaken comprehensive environmental studies to support the Drought Permit application to ensure any short term impacts on the river environment are minimised.

In doing so, it has worked closely with the Environment Agency, English Nature, Sussex Wildlife Trust and the Sussex Ouse Conservation Society.

James Grinnell, Water Resources Manager for South East Water, said: "While the recent rainfall has been welcome and certainly kept peak demand for water at more manageable levels, it has not been substantial enough to make a significant impact on the low levels in our underground sources and reservoirs.

"Without substantial rainfall this autumn and winter, there could be the possibility of more serious water shortages next summer. We need to act now to further safeguard supplies in the long term."

South East Water introduced a hosepipe ban on 30 July 2005 for its customers in East and West Sussex and West Kent to help preserve the region's water resources.

This followed nine months of below average rainfall and continued high demand for water during the summer weather, which left the region's water resources severely depleted.

This is the first year the company has had to introduce any restrictions on water use since 1995.

In the meantime, South East Water continues to remind customers that adopting simple water efficiency measures in the home and garden can help make a positive impact on the region's water resources. These include: