South East Water says demand has risen sharply during the recent heatwave, placing pressure on reservoirs and the wider water network. According to the company, additional production at treatment works and round-the-clock tanker operations have not been enough to offset the sustained increase in consumption.
The company is urging customers to reduce water use immediately, even before the restrictions formally come into force. It says the temporary measures are designed to help maintain reliable supplies, particularly for customers in areas where water pressure has already been affected.
Restrictions Target Non-essential Water Use across Kent
The temporary use ban prohibits the use of mains-connected hosepipes and sprinklers for a range of non-essential activities. According to South East Water, these include watering gardens and plants, washing private vehicles, filling swimming pools, ponds and fountains, and cleaning patios, walls and windows.
Customers who fail to comply may face prosecution, with penalties of up to £1,000 under the Water Industry Act. The company states that prosecution would be a last resort but confirms that breaching the restrictions is a criminal offence.
Commercial businesses whose core operations depend on hosepipes, including professional car washes and window cleaning companies, are exempt from the ban. According to the information provided by South East Water, these businesses are allowed to continue operating because water is often recycled as part of their commercial processes.
For motorists wishing to clean their vehicles at home, alternatives that do not involve a hosepipe remain permitted. These include using buckets, watering cans filled from a tap, sponges and waterless cleaning products. Customers may also continue using commercial car wash facilities where exemptions apply.
Water Company Cites Heatwave and Sustained Demand
South East Water says the decision follows record levels of water consumption linked to the recent period of high temperatures. Matthew Dean, the company’s Head of Operations Control, said demand had surged while storage reservoirs had fallen to low levels in several parts of Kent.
Dean said the company had increased output at its water treatment works and deployed tanker fleets continuously to support the network. He added that some customers living on higher ground or at the far ends of the distribution system could continue to experience reduced water pressure or temporary interruptions during periods of peak demand.
According to South East Water, customers are being asked to reserve mains water for essential purposes such as drinking, washing and cooking. The company has also encouraged people to reuse water from baths, showers and sinks for gardening wherever possible.
The Environment Agency has also highlighted the pressure created by continued hot weather. According to comments from Helen Wakeham, Chair of the National Drought Group and Director of Water at the Environment Agency, heatwaves can drive significant increases in water demand, making careful use of limited water resources necessary.
South East Water says the restrictions will remain under constant review and are expected to stay in place until demand returns to manageable levels. The company has confirmed that the temporary ban applies only to its Kent supply area and does not currently extend to its customers in Sussex, Berkshire, Hampshire or Surrey.
