Expanded Drought Restrictions
South East Water extends hosepipe restrictions to vulnerable customers amid severe drought conditions.
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Key Points
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South East Water’s Ardingly Reservoir was reported to be just 22.8% full, despite recent rainfall; it serves nearly 250,000 customers.
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September rainfall averaged 65% of the usual level across England, while the South East received 57% of its average for the month.
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The newly affected Priority Services Register customers include pensioners, people with disabilities or sensory and communication difficulties, those with serious or chronic illnesses, and people reliant on medical equipment.
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Some specific uses remain permitted under the restrictions, including watering with a watering can or water butt, watering plants grown for sale or flower displays, and watering sports pitches.
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South East Water’s head of water resources described the restrictions as “fairly unusual” and “regrettable.”
South East Water will ban hosepipes for all customers starting October 9, including vulnerable people who were previously exempt LBC. The utility company is facing severe drought conditions, with its Ardingly Reservoir at just 22.8% capacity despite recent rain Hello Rayo. Essential uses like watering with cans and caring for medical equipment will still be allowed.
September rainfall across England averaged only 65% of normal levels, with the South East hit harder at 57% of average Yahoo News. The company has also asked the government to restrict non-essential business water use, such as commercial car washing and construction dust control The Independent.
Vulnerable Customers Now Affected by Restrictions
The ban affects people on South East Water's Priority Services Register — pensioners, people with disabilities, those with serious illnesses, and people reliant on medical equipment The Sun. Previously, these groups were protected from restrictions. Health, safety, and animal welfare exemptions remain in place, but other concessions like domestic window-cleaning will end LBC.
Reservoir Levels Drop Despite Recent Rainfall
South East Water's Ardingly Reservoir, which serves nearly 250,000 customers, sits at just 22.8% capacity Hello Rayo. This dire situation comes after a record hot UK summer followed by an unusually dry September Yahoo News. Even with recent rainfall, the reservoir remains critically low, forcing the company to take aggressive action.
Business Water Restrictions Await Government Approval
South East Water has applied for government permission to impose a non-essential use ban on businesses Hello Rayo. This would restrict commercial car washing, construction-site dust suppression, and watering sports grounds The Independent. The Environment Secretary must approve the move, which could take several weeks to implement.
What Customers Can Still Do With Water
Several uses remain permitted under the new restrictions LBC. Customers can still water plants with watering cans or water butts, tend to plants grown for sale or flower displays, and water sports pitches. The company's head of water resources called the restrictions "fairly unusual" and "regrettable" The Sun.
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