South East Water tightens hosepipe ban in Sussex

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 9 Oct, 12:25 · Archive

South East Water has expanded its hosepipe ban across Sussex, removing exemptions after summer demand strained water supplies.

South East Water has expanded its hosepipe ban for customers across Sussex from 9 October, following the falling level at Ardingly Reservoir. The supplier first introduced restrictions in July but has now removed most exemptions.

The tightened restrictions now affect towns including Burgess Hill, Crowborough, Battle and Eastbourne. Previously, vulnerable people on the company's Priority Services Register, window cleaners, gardeners, jet washers and taxi drivers were exempt from the ban. The only exemptions now permitted are for health and safety reasons or animal welfare.

Businesses that use hosepipes to serve domestic customers, such as window cleaners and gardeners, are no longer allowed to use them and have been encouraged to use buckets, watering cans, collected rainwater or other alternatives. Commercial farming and garden centres are not classed as domestic use and do not fall under the ban. South East Water has applied to restrict some other commercial uses of water, such as cleaning windows at commercial premises, but this remains pending.

How it is being reported

• South East Water removes exemptions as Sussex hosepipe restrictions tightenSouth East Water has tightened hosepipe restrictions across Sussex, removing previous exemptions following high demand over the summerChichester Observer · 9 Oct, 13:28
• Hosepipe ban enforced for areas of SussexSouth East Water has tightened hosepipe restrictions across Sussex, removing previous exemptions following high demand over the summerChichester Observer · 9 Oct, 11:45
• How is the hosepipe ban changing in Sussex?An expanded hosepipe ban comes into force for South East Water customers across Sussex.BBC Sussex · 9 Oct, 06:19

In this story: South East Water · Sussex · Ardingly Reservoir · Burgess Hill · Crowborough · Battle · Eastbourne

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