Two million in parched Kent and Sussex could be next for hosepipe ban
A SECOND hosepipe ban hitting millions more households is expected to be announced today as Britain’s dry spell continues.
South East Water plans to confirm a ‘temporary usage ban’ for Kent and Sussex, according to details of a briefing leaked to the Daily Mail.
Around 2.2million customers will be hit by the ban, which is expected to start at midnight on August 12.
South East Water, which last year lost 88.7million litres of water a day through leaking pipes, will be the second UK water company to announce a hosepipe ban so far this summer. water companies could follow suit
Last week, Southern Water as they are ‘really thinking hard announced a ban for nearly a million on their positions’. of its customers in Hampshire The firm has already called on and the isle of Wight that comes its customers to voluntarily into force on Friday. turn off their hosepipes and sprinkler
it will mean hosepipes cannot be systems as the hot, dry used to water gardens or clean weather continues. cars, and ornamental ponds and Lee Dance, South East Water’s private swimming pools must head of water resources, said last not be filled. week: ‘Clearly, we are in a very dry
Flouting the restriction could and warm period and the forecast lead to prosecution and a court is that this may continue for a fine of up to £1,000. number of weeks.’
An internal South East Water Mr Dance added: ‘ We have briefing on plans for the new ban, been looking very closely at the seen by the Mail, noted that other current situation and assessing the likelihood of restrictions and other measures.
‘if our assessment reveals voluntary reduction of water use will not allow us to maintain supplies of water for essential use or to protect the environment, then we may need to impose more formal bans.’ South East Water did not respond to requests for comment last night.
The most prominent water company that has hinted it could bring in a hosepipe ban this summer is Thames Water.
The firm said in a statement last week: ‘if we do not receive around or above average rainfall in the coming months, this will increase pressure on our resources and may, indeed, result in the need for more water saving measures including restrictions.’
This week, the Met Office said southern England had experienced its driest July since records began in 1836.
South-East and central southern England saw an average of just 5mm (0.2ins) of rain last month, while East Anglia had only a fraction more with 5.4mm (0.21ins).
Most of England – with the exception of the north-West – has moved into a state of ‘prolonged dry weather’.
This is described by the Environment Agency as ‘ the first stage of a drought’, raising the spectre of restrictions such as hosepipe bans.
The isle of Man also announced a hosepipe ban last week, while Welsh Water has said it may have to bring in a similar restriction in Pembrokeshire.
‘Driest July since records began’