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South East Water expands hosepipe ban rules in Sussex by removing multiple exemptions
Overview
South East Water has tightened its hosepipe ban for customers across Sussex, removing multiple exemptions from 9 October following falling water levels at Ardingly Reservoir. The only remaining exemptions are for health and safety or animal welfare, meaning vulnerable people on the Priority Services Register and domestic-facing businesses are now included in the restrictions. The company attributes the low reservoir levels to record-breaking dry weather, increased summer demand, and network leaks.
Key points
- An expanded hosepipe ban came into force for South East Water customers in Sussex on 9 October.
- Multiple exemptions have been removed, leaving exceptions only for health and safety or animal welfare reasons.
- Vulnerable people on the Priority Services Register and domestic-serving businesses, such as window cleaners and gardeners, are now subject to the ban.
- The changes were triggered after the water level at Ardingly Reservoir dropped to 20% of its capacity as of 4 October.
- South East Water blamed record-breaking dry weather, high summer demand, and increased pipe bursts from shifting soil for the low water levels.