Southern Water has confirmed that a hosepipe ban will be enforced in parts of Sussex as the UK prepares for another blistering heatwave. The temporary use restriction, set to begin this Friday, comes amid concerns over dwindling water supplies and soaring demand.
Why is the ban being introduced?
With reservoir levels dropping significantly after weeks of minimal rainfall, Southern Water stated the measure is necessary to "protect essential supplies" during the anticipated prolonged dry period. Meteorologists predict temperatures could climb above 30°C in the coming days, further straining resources.
Which areas are affected?
The ban primarily impacts customers in Sussex, including:
- Hastings
- Eastbourne
- Brighton and Hove
Residents will be prohibited from using hosepipes for gardening, car washing, or filling pools, with potential £1,000 fines for violations.
How are people reacting?
Local gardeners have expressed frustration about the timing during peak growing season, while environmental groups argue the measures "should have been implemented weeks ago". Southern Water advises customers to:
- Use watering cans instead of sprinklers
- Take shorter showers
- Fix leaking taps immediately
The company maintains they're "investing £2 billion" in infrastructure to improve resilience, but critics claim more should be done to prevent annual water shortages.
