A WET WINTER VITAL TO RECHARGE WATER RESOURCES

There needs to be above average rainfall this winter for underground aquifers and reservoirs to return to normal levels.

Currently, the underground sources, which provide 70 per cent of water supplies in the region, remain seriously depleted. Reservoir levels, which provide 30 per cent of customers' supply, are also still below average for this time of year, with Bewl 61 per cent full and the largest reservoir in the South East, Darwell, near Hastings, only 47 per cent full.

Southern Water has hosepipe/sprinkler restrictions in place throughout its supply areas in Sussex, Kent and the Isle of Wight and will continue to review the need for these restrictions during the vital winter months.

Despite recent rain, the South East is still suffering the driest period since the 1930s and the worst drought since 1976 following two consecutive dry winters.

Meyrick Gough, Southern Water's water planning and strategy manager, said: "We are still in the grip of the drought and need to have above-average rainfall throughout the winter to bring ground water supplies up to normal levels. Currently, ground water levels in the aquifers are well below average and supplies remain seriously depleted.

"By January 2007, we want our reservoirs to be largely recharged but in January this year, Bewl was at its lowest ever level, just 35 per cent full. Our customers have responded fantastically to the hosepipe/sprinkler restrictions, helping to reduce demand and we welcome their continued support. Customer support has enabled us to hold back on implementing additional restrictions. However, rainfall is vital this winter and we will continue to review the hosepipe restriction as the months progress."

The hosepipe/sprinkler restrictions helped reduce the demand for water, particularly during the record hot months of June and July, with overall consumption in the region significantly less than forecast.

Following a high-profile communications campaign, customers saved an average 21 million litres of water every day during the summer of 2005 compared to the summer of 2004 '“ enough to meet the needs of a city the size of Canterbury.

Following the second consecutive dry winter, customers continued reducing their water use and a further 22 million litres of water per day were saved during the summer of 2006 when compared to last year.

This means that in the two years since the summer of 2004, 43 million litres of water a day are being saved '“ more than enough water to meet the needs of a population the size of Brighton and Hove.

The company has also fast-tracked more than 50 schemes, costing 20 million, to bring more water into supply and has been working in partnership with its customers, enlisting their support not to waste water.

Southern Water has almost doubled the size of its leak detection team to 120 to help reduce leakage rates.