Drought order comes into force in parts of Sussex

The drought order comes into force on Friday

A drought order has come into force in parts of Sussex.

The Environment Agency (EA) has changed the status of the areas around Haywards Heath and Eastbourne to drought, with Ardingly Reservoir's water level at 27.6% of its total capacity.

The drought order on South East Water customers in the area, which begins on Friday, is to "help conserve the remaining water stored within the reservoir and protect drinking water supplies in Sussex".

Some exemptions from the hosepipe ban in force in the areas are being withdrawn from Friday.

South East Water's Ardingly Reservoir serves 228,000 customers in Haywards Heath and the surrounding areas in Sussex.

A hosepipe and sprinkler ban, which was imposed on the area in July, will remain in place until water supply is secured, the EA said.

The water company said from Friday watering new lawns at domestic premises, trees and hedges planted within the last three years and food crops at domestic premises and private allotments are no longer exempt from the hosepipe ban.

Eastbourne has been included in the drought area despite its water being supplied by Arlington Reservoir.

The area of Sussex adds to others across the country that entered drought status earlier this year - Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, East Midlands, and the West Midlands.

The National Drought Group - which includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, the National Farmers' Union, Canal & River Trust, anglers, and conservation experts – continues to monitor the situation and will next meet on 30 October.