South East Water has significantly expanded its hosepipe ban, with an additional 1.5 million customers now facing restrictions across the South East of England. The move, which brings the total number of affected individuals to 2.4 million, encompasses parts of Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire. This follows an earlier ban implemented in parts of Kent on 3 July 2026, as the region grapples with the aftermath of exceptionally hot and dry weather.
The water company stated that the decision was necessitated by critically low water levels at key reservoirs, including Arlington Reservoir in East Sussex. According to South East Water, the region has received only 55% of its average rainfall since March, with some areas like Wisley in Surrey experiencing no significant rainfall for 31 days. This extended period of drought follows record-breaking June temperatures, which saw the UK record for the hottest day in June broken for three consecutive days last month, reaching 37.3C.
Douglas Whitfield, South East Water's Water Supply Director, expressed regret over the situation and thanked customers for their cooperation. However, the announcement has drawn sharp criticism, with Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde describing the ban as a "direct result of years of underinvestment in upgrading infrastructure and building resilience." This sentiment is echoed by industry watchdogs, with Mike Keil, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Water, urging South East Water to "get a grip of its network" and highlighting public frustration over inconsistent supply.
Under the new restrictions, which officially come into effect from 00:01 BST on Saturday, 25 July 2026, households in the affected areas are prohibited from using a hosepipe for various tasks. These include cleaning vehicles, filling swimming pools or ornamental ponds, and watering plants in gardens. While the official start date is Saturday, South East Water has urged customers to begin adhering to the restrictions immediately to help conserve dwindling water supplies.
The challenges for South East Water extend beyond the current drought. The company was previously ordered by industry regulator Ofwat to invest £30.5 million in improvements following investigations into its performance. Furthermore, its latest annual report indicated a need for fresh financing after incurring a £55 million loss from winter outages. Local businesses are also feeling the pinch; Toby Cooper, landlord of The Bull in Tunbridge Wells, reported having to close his pub on a Saturday evening due to water issues, resulting in an estimated loss of £5,000 to £6,000 in trade.
In contrast, Southern Water, which serves other parts of Sussex, confirmed that its supply area in the region would not be subject to a hosepipe ban, stating that its water levels are "actually better than this time last year." This highlights the localised nature of the water supply challenges and the varying resilience of infrastructure across different water providers in the South East.