Temporary water restrictions continue as drought record broken

Homes across Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire are still being warned not to use excessive amounts of water and hosepipes due to drought.

Customers are told not use hosepipes when watering their gardens, washing cars, patios. The ban is also in place when filling up swimming and paddling pools.

The restrictions come after both the water level of the Cuckmere River and the Arlington Reservoir dropped to a level where the Drought Plan states temporary restrictions should take place. The continued hot weather has led to a high demand of water, meaning rivers and ground water sources are low and must be protected.

Parts of the UK have surpassed a 50-year-drought record and officials are urging for water restrictions to be taken seriously.

UK 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.

South East Water continue to restrict all use of hosepipes and sprinklers to help ensure that the company can provide a consistent public water service for all its customers. However properties across Sussex this week were delivered bottled water in Heathfield, Ditchling and Burgess Hill as they were hit by water shortages amid the ban.

Throughout spring and early summer, the water resources were in a healthy position following the higher than average winter rainfall. However since March, levels have fallen 55 per cent, breaching the triggers in the company’s approved Drought Plan.

Douglas Whitfield, the Water Supply Director at South East Water, said: “We completely understand why everyone reaches for the hose when the weather gets this hot. It’s natural to want to enjoy our gardens and cool down, and we know how frustrating it is to hear that restrictions are coming into place.

"Our teams have worked incredibly hard to prepare for this summer, but the sheer scale of the sustained heatwaves and lower levels of rainfall mean water resources are starting to be impacted. Our absolute priority has to be making sure there is always enough water for everyone’s essential daily needs: drinking, cooking and hygiene.

"To safeguard our shared resource and help prevent any homes from facing a sudden loss of water, we sadly need to ask our communities to not use their hosepipes immediately. We are deeply sorry for the disruption this causes, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone helping us protect water supplies in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire.

“We recognise how challenging these repeated restrictions are for our Sussex customers, by this being the fourth ban in five years. Our priority is to restore long-term resilience to break this cycle. We’re actively developing new water sources to build a more resilient supply for your community and to secure our water future."

“I would like to thank everyone who has already taken steps to try and reduce their overall water use.”

For more information about the hosepipe ban and drought visit: https://www.southeastwater.co.uk/about/updates/tubs-26/