Drought declared due to declining reservoir levels

A drought has been declared due to declining water levels at Ardingly Reservoir

A drought has been declared in parts of East and West Sussex due to declining water levels at a reservoir.

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% total capacity.

The drought has been declared for the area supplied by South East Water (SEW) after hot and dry weather impacted availability of supplies, the EA said.

Nick Price, SEW'S head of water resources, said the River Ouse catchment had only experienced two years with lower spring and summer rainfall in its 155-year recorded history.

He added: "Consequently, the River Ouse, where we take water from in Sussex for supply and to refill our Ardingly Reservoir, is running low."

The reservoir supplies 228,000 homes with drinking water.

People living in the drought zone have been urged to continue using a little water as possible.

A hosepipe ban will remain in place until water supply is secured, the EA said.

Richard O'Callaghan, area environment manager at the EA, said: "Autumn and winter may feel like there is an excess of water at hand, but the climate is changing, and we must be sensible about water use all the time.

"A few bursts of recent rainfall do not undo several dry months of cumulative impact.

"It will take sustained rainfall to address prolonged dry weather and replenish reservoirs and rivers."

Meanwhile, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Surrey and the rest of East and West Sussex remain in prolonged dry weather status, the EA said.

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

"We appreciate South East Water customers who do not rely on Ardingly Reservoir will wonder why the Environment Agency has also changed the status of their neighbouring water resource zone to drought," an EA spokesperson has said.

"This is because of the actions we expect South East Water to take to secure the water supply, as well as the connectivity between zones.

"While the risk of supply is lower in areas not reliant on Ardingly Reservoir, the impact of prolonged, dry weather on water levels and the potential of a dry winter remains a concern."