31/03/06
Restrictions on use of hosepipes for garden watering and car washing will help keep the taps running and protect the environment later in the year.
Seventeen months of well below average rainfall in the South East have led to very low levels in reservoirs and groundwater sources and below normal river flows. In turn this situation is putting unusual pressure on public supply and the environment.
Water companies are implementing drought plans including: promotion of water efficiency; restrictions on discretionary household use; drought permits to change abstraction licences; and (potentially) drought orders allowing restrictions on non-essential use by public and private sector organisations.
Restrictions and drought permits
From Monday 3 April the following companies will have hosepipe bans in place:
• Folkestone & Dover Water
• Mid-Kent Water
• Southern Water
• South East Water (Sussex and Kent)
• Sutton and East Surrey Water
• Thames Water
• Three Valleys Water
Three companies have applied to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for drought orders which, if granted, will enable them to restrict non-essential use for a range of purposes beyond the domestic household:
• Mid-Kent Water
• Southern Water
• Sutton and East Surrey Water
Southern Water has drought permits in place to support levels at Bewl and Weirwood reservoirs.
Ends
For more information please contact:
Barrie Clarke, Director of Communication
020 7344 1804 or
Bruce Horton, Policy Adviser
020 7344 17
