South East Water announce hosepipe ban is now removed for 1.4 million customers

A hosepipe ban impacted 1.4 million households in Kent and Sussex has been lifted by South East Water.

The measure was introduced back on 12th August after southern England endured the driest start to summer since 1976.

The conditions put enormous pressure on the system as demand increased but the continues rain experienced over the past few weeks has helped to bring reservoirs back to healthier levels.

The first week of November alone saw 107% of the total long term average monthly rainfall and by last week there had been close to two months of rainfall in just three weeks.

Lee Dance, Head of Water Resources for South East Water said: "In July, the South East received only eight per cent of average rainfall and demand for water from our 1.4 million customers in Kent and Sussex was exceptional.

"At one point we were producing enough water daily to supply four additional towns the size of Maidstone or Eastbourne.

"I would like to say thank you to our customers for adhering to the restrictions and finding ways to cut down on their water use at a time that not only were our supplies in reservoirs and in the ground under immense pressure but so was their local environment too."

Ardingly Reservoir is now three quarters full to capacity and now contains 2.5 billion litres of water.

Last week Thames Water announced it would be lifting a temporary hosepipe ban imposed on its customers.

Water companies have faced criticism though over claims they've been slow to respond leaks at a time when customers are being asked to cut back.

The organisations say they do everything they can to make repairs.