With June 2023 being the hottest on record, demand for water also broke records with levels rising so rapidly, it meant treating and supplying enough water to meet demand became difficult. So, we introduced a hosepipe ban for our customers in Kent and Sussex.
We've received many questions about the restrictions, so we have selected and answered the most asked questions here.
Can I use a hosepipe to water plants in a greenhouse?
No. Although plants that are undercover, such as in a greenhouse, are not considered a garden, there are other restrictions that specifically restrict watering plants on domestic or non-commercial premises using a hosepipe.
Can I water any plants in the garden?
Yes, you can water your garden using rainwater from a water butt with a watering can or bucket.
According to RHS, rainwater is better for your plants as it often has a lower pH.
You can also use 'greywater' i.e. wastewater from showers or tap water.
Why can I have multiple baths, but my kids can't have one pool?
Filling a swimming pool with a hosepipe for just one hour can use the same amount of water a whole family would use in the home in 2 days.
Do you expect your Western region to have a hosepipe ban?
While demand in our supply areas in Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire has also increased considerably, we have not experienced the same water supply issues as encountered in Kent and Sussex.
We are continuing to monitor the situation and will advise customers if circumstances change.
Would this hose pipe ban be in place if pipes weren't leaking?
At South East Water, there are over 6 million joins in our network of 9,000 miles of pipes, so leakage, unfortunately, occurs all year round and is accounted for in our supply process.
We have met our leakage targets for 15 of the last 16 years. Currently, our leakage is about 18%, which is lower than the industry average, with one-third happening on customers’ pipes and two-thirds on our network. We have 52 teams working reactively to fix leaks, with 60 technicians proactively seeking out leaks on the network.
If you need help finding competent and qualified plumbers for leaks on pipes on your property, check out WaterSafe(opens in a new tab)
Why is the ban in place when reservoir levels are still high?
The ban is in place due to the high demand for clean water, which has broken all previous records.
We have been producing an additional 120 million litres of water a day - equivalent to supplying four towns the size of Maidstone or Eastbourne.
This has affected our ability to treat and pump clean water to everyone. The ban is helping to reduce demand to more manageable levels.
How long will the ban be in place?
We keep the position under constant review.
We look at a number of indicators to understand if we can lift the temporary use ban. At this time the hosepipe ban is in place.
Is it demand for water you drink?
Yes, South East Water only supplies clean water that is of a safe standard for you to drink.
However, clean drinking water is used for various uses, such as cooking, hygiene and drinking.
Can I water my grass?
There's no need to frown if your lawn turns brown. They will recover once rain returns.
Check out the RHS summer lawn care information (opens in a new tab)
Lawns laid before the onset of the ban can be watered for four weeks after they are laid, and where it reasonably can be, by a watering can.
Why don't you get involved in planning for new homes?
We are not statutory consultees in planning applications.
However, it is our duty to supply new properties with water; this is the same for all water companies.
Why isn't the infrastructure in place to cope?
Across the water industry, all companies work in 5-year business plan phases agreed with our regulator, Ofwat, where we set out what investments we will make.
The business period we are currently working in was laid out in 2019, so did not account for changes that we have seen in how people use water. However, between 2020 - 2025 we are committed to investing £489 million into a programme of improvements to our infrastructure.
To prepare for summer 2023 we made many changes to the infrastructure, including increasing the number of storage tanks for clean water. However, it has not been enough for us to keep up with record-breaking demand levels. This is why a ban has been put in place.
In our next business plan cycle, there will be future investments in infrastructure, including the building of a new reservoir in Canterbury, to build a resilient supply.
Why does working from home matter?
In the last three years, we have seen a change in how people use water in traditional commuter towns in Kent and Sussex, leading to an increase in demand by around 20 per cent.
We are addressing this in our latest business plan and have consulted extensively with both customers and stakeholders in its creation.
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