South East Water provides update on drought restrictions in Sussex

While the Sussex region remains at drought level three (severe drought), a combination of recent rainfall, temporary changes to water abstraction licence conditions and the measures that have been put in place to protect supplies, means the current status is more positive.

South East Water is grateful to customers for their support to use water wisely. Those efforts continue to make a difference, and customers are being asked to please continue with this while water resources recover.

At the same time, South East Water continues to do everything it can to protect water supplies, including tackling leakage and improving network resilience to make the best possible use of the water available. The drinking water company is also working closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Douglas Whitfield, Water Supply Director at South East Water said: “We know that the possibility of further water restrictions has been a real concern for many of our customers, particularly businesses whose livelihoods could be affected. We want to reassure people that the situation is improving and that the immediate pressure to introduce additional restrictions is reducing.

“However, we need to be clear that we’re not out of the woods yet. A few days of rainfall cannot reverse the effects of a prolonged period of dry weather, and our water resources still need time to recover. That’s why we’re continuing to monitor conditions closely and plan carefully for the winter months, when sustained rainfall will be important in helping our water resources recover.”

Last month South East Water applied for permission to introduce a Non-Essential Use Ban (NEUB) in Sussex so that this option could be available should conditions deteriorate. The NEUB requires approval by the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and is still being determined. You can find out more about the NEUB application here. Although South East Water has applied for a Non-Essential Use Ban, it is important to note, there is no guarantee it will be granted or needed. This application is a precaution at this stage.

Further hosepipe restrictions (Temporary Use Ban) remain in place and are reviewed on a weekly basis. Re-instating the exemptions removed will take place as soon as possible. 

The drinking water company is reassuring customers that water resources are improving, but a responsible, measured approach is needed, keeping restrictions under review and making decisions based on the latest evidence.

ENDS

Background

• The NEUB is an application, not an active ban. South East Water applied on 2 October for Sussex, and government approval would not automatically mean implementation. 
• The drought position is geographically specific. Eastbourne (WRZ2) and Haywards Heath (WRZ3) water resource zones remain at drought level three, while the other zones are at level one. The Environment Agency also identifies the Ardingly-supplied area as experiencing severe drought.
• The recent Temporary Use Ban (TUB) change was a tightening of exemptions in Sussex. From 9 October, exemptions covering activities including commercial window cleaning and cleaning domestic properties were removed, except for health, safety and animal welfare purposes.