South East Water introduces hosepipe ban as homes across Kent and Sussex battle water shortages
- South East Water said the demand for drinking water has reached ‘record levels’
- The restrictions come early, as the first hosepipe ban of 2022 was on July 26
South East Water is introducing a hosepipe ban as homes across Kent and Sussex battle water shortages.
Schools in the region have been forced to close during the warm weather and bottled water stations have been set up as the utility firm said demand for drinking water has reached ‘record levels’.
South East Water said the temporary hosepipe restrictions will come into force from June 26, meaning customers cannot water their gardens, wash cars, boats or patios and are banned from filling paddling or swimming pools.
The restrictions come early this year, with the first hosepipe ban of 2022 not arriving until July 26.
David Hinton, chief executive of South East Water, said: ‘This situation has developed much more rapidly than last year.
South East Water is introducing a hosepipe ban amid shortages in Kent and Sussex
South East Water said the temporary hosepipe restrictions will come into force from June 26
‘Understandably, we’ve seen customer demand increase in line with the hotter weather, however this has impacted our ability to keep all customers in supply at all times.
‘Despite asking for customers help to use water for essential uses only, regrettably we’ve now been left with no choice but to introduce this temporary use ban restriction to protect customers supplies across Kent and Sussex.
‘The long-term forecast for the rest of the summer is for a dry period with little rainfall, although temperatures may reduce slightly.’
South East Water said despite providing an extra 120 million litres of water per day, demand in June has broken records, including from the Covid lockdown heatwave.
Mr Hinton said the long-term forecast for the summer is a dry period with little rainfall, adding: ‘Restricting the use of hosepipes and sprinklers to make sure we have enough water for our customers’ essential use will ensure we can serve our vulnerable customers and to protect the local environment.’
On Friday, three schools in East Sussex partially closed due to water shortages. Mark Cross Church of England Primary School in Crowborough said it could not open to all year groups because of reduced sanitary facilities and no running water.
Residents in Staplehurst, Biddenden, Wadhurst and Mayfield have been left without water with some schools without drinking or toilet facilities closed since Monday
South East Water said the temporary hosepipe restrictions will mean customers cannot water their gardens, wash cars, boats or patios and are banned from filling paddling or swimming pools (File image)
Areas experiencing no or low water pressure during the week include Crowborough, Wadhurst, Mayfield, Lewes, Newhaven in East Sussex, and Biddenden, Staplehurst, Cranbrook and Ashford in Kent.
South East Water bosses are asking customers to use water for ‘essential use only’ and have set up bottled water stations across affected areas while it builds up reserves.
READ MORE: Summer drought brought on by the heatwave leaves thousands of homes across Kent and Sussex without water for days – as schools are forced to close for a fourth day running
The shortage comes as the region has been hit by a spell of hot temperatures, and according to the Met Office, a maximum temperature of 28C could continue until Monday, June 19.
On Wednesday, June 14, three East Sussex primary schools had emergency closures due to the lack of water, and one of the schools, Rotherfield Primary School, announced a further closure on Thursday, June 15.
The announcement read yesterday: ‘Sadly, the situation at school remains the same this morning.
‘The water pressure is still significantly lower than it needs to be and drops quickly when a tap is turned on.’
Beacon Academy sixth form students, in Crowborough, East Sussex, were also advised to attend a different site due to the loss of water supply in the area.
Other areas experiencing no or low water pressure include Wadhurst, Mayfield, Lewes, Newhaven in East Sussex, and Biddenden, Staplehurst, Cranbrook and Ashford in Kent.
Wealden MP Nusrat Ghani has hit out at the water company for failing its customers, and is looking at getting water tanks delivered to places such as schools.
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