20/07/2026
Update from South East Water
https://www.southeastwater.co.uk/about/updates/tubs-26/
Due to lower than average rainfall since March and continued hot weather causing high demand for water, we’ve started to see a decline in river levels in Sussex. Therefore, I am writing to update you that South East Water will be introducing a Temporary Use Ban (hosepipe restriction) for all its customers in Sussex.
We are doing this in line with our Drought Plan to safeguard essential supplies for drinking, cooking and hygiene. We will be announcing this publicly at 09:00 on Monday 20 July. The hosepipe restrictions will be legally enforced from 00:01 on Saturday 25 July, however we will be asking that all customers follow the restrictions immediately.
Why is this happening?
In Sussex, the water from the taps will start its journey either from the river Ouse that feeds Ardingly Reservoir, the river Cuckmere that feeds Arlington Reservoir, from underground aquifers (layers of rock that hold water - similar to a sponge) far below our feet, or a combination of river and aquifer.
There are two reasons why we now need to apply temporary hosepipe restrictions in this area:
1. The river level of the Cuckmere means we have had to pause taking water from it, so we can protect it. That means Arlington Reservoir has dropped to a level where our Drought Plan states we must introduce these temporary restrictions.
2. The area has only received 55 per cent of average rainfall since March, and the forecast does not show much sign of rain either. This means the reservoirs and aquifers will continue to drop at a faster rate as summer goes on.
The river is low because of the hot weather meaning higher levels of water is being used and lower than average rainfall having an impact on how much water the environment can supply.
The region has also faced three heatwaves, each breaking weather records too:
• May saw the hottest day on record for the month.
• June saw a new UK temperature record and the south east recorded the highest average minimum temperature of anywhere in the UK too.
• July has seen a third month of temperatures in the UK above 35 degrees, setting a new record.
• In total 2026 has seen a record eight days with temperatures above 34 degrees, breaking records from 1976 and 2020. It’s also the first time we’ve seen 35 degrees or higher temperatures in three consecutive months.
You can find out more about the record-breaking weather from the Met Office here.
About the restrictions and how we’re letting customers know
Details of what the restrictions mean for our customers can be found on our website. We will communicate this fully through our website, emails, social media and undertake media interviews to ensure all customers are aware of the restrictions, which include prohibiting the use of hosepipes for:
• Watering private gardens and allotments.
• Washing private motor vehicles, patios, paths, and private boats.
• Filling or maintaining domestic swimming pools, paddling pools, or hot tubs.
• A hosepipe includes sprinklers and pressure washers that are connected to the mains water supply.
South East Water has introduced a hosepipe ban for their customers in Kent.
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