South East Water hosepipe ban to affect 2.4 million people
Summary
South East Water has expanded its hosepipe ban to cover 2.4 million people in southern England due to very dry and hot weather. The ban restricts using hosepipes for tasks like watering plants or cleaning and aims to protect water supplies as reservoir levels drop.Key Facts
- The hosepipe ban adds 1.5 million customers in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire to the existing ban in parts of Kent.
- The ban started on Saturday at 00:01 BST, but customers were asked to follow it immediately.
- Record high temperatures in June broke UK records three days in a row, reaching 37.3°C.
- Reservoir levels, especially at Arlington Reservoir in East Sussex, have dropped critically due to 55% less rainfall than average since March.
- South East Water was fined £30.5 million recently for supply failures and needs more funding after losing £55 million from winter outages.
- Some local businesses, like a pub in Tunbridge Wells, have suffered financial losses due to water shortages and temporary closures.
- Other water providers in nearby areas, like Southern Water, are not under hosepipe bans because their water levels are stable or better.
- Experts urge South East Water to improve its infrastructure to prevent future water supply problems.
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