SES Water is asking its customers to help reduce water use as prolonged hot, dry weather continues to drive exceptionally high demand across the area.
The sustained heatwave has put pressure on parts of the local drinking water network as demand across the region has increased by around 40 million litres per day.
Last week, the Environment Agency declared half of England, including the SES Water supply area, in drought, with more of the country included earlier this week.
More recently, the Met Office has warned of a further notable heatwave developing over the coming days, following on from provisionally the second warmest July on record for the UK.
To help maintain supplies for customers, SES Water is asking customers and visitors to the area to use water with care until temperatures start to fall.
Daniel Kennedy, Director of Water Services at SES Water, said: “The prolonged hot weather over the last few weeks has resulted in exceptionally high demand on our drinking water network, and while we do not have a hosepipe ban in our area, we can all play our part in reducing the water we use.
Our teams are working around the clock to move water around the area, bring in supplies from areas under less pressure, and maximise production at our treatment works.
To help protect water supplies across the network and reduce the risk of supply interruptions, we are asking customers to reduce their water usage where possible until temperatures begin to drop. We all need to use water wisely in these extreme conditions, and small changes can make a big difference.”
Customers can help save water by:
- Taking a four-minute shower.
- Turning off the tap while brushing their teeth.
- Only using washing machines and dishwashers with full loads.
- Using a watering can instead of a hose where and when possible.
- Watering gardens in the early morning or late evening.
- Keeping a jug of drinking water in the fridge instead of running the tap until it is cold.
- Checking for dripping taps or leaks around the home.
For more information and additional water saving tips, customers can visit www.seswater.co.uk/household/your-water/saving-water