Hosepipe Ban Lifted

It is now safe to use your hosepipe again in Kent.

South East Water and Veolia Water Southeast have now lifted their restrictions after "abnormally heavy rainfall". The companies which supply households across the county were among the last to announce an end to the special measures.

Southern Water which also serves Kent lifted the ban for its customers last month.

Restrictions were brought in by seven water companies across southern and eastern England in April following two unusually dry winters which left some groundwater supplies and rivers as low as in the drought year of 1976.

Soon after, the UK was deluged with rain. April was the wettest in records dating back more than century to 1910. Last month was also the wettest June on record.

A joint statement from South East Water, Veolia Water Southeast, Veolia Water Central and Sutton and East Surrey Water said they were heavily dependent on ground water supplies but these have now recovered sufficiently to enable them to lift the bans.

It said: "The companies would all like to thank their customers for complying with the restrictions and supporting their plea to use water wisely. This has kept demand for water well below levels normally experienced at this time of year.

"Significant - or indeed any - recharge of underground resources at this time of year is most unusual but it follows the abnormally heavy rainfall experienced since spring which has finally brought to an end the severe drought after two dry winters.''

Paul Seeley, asset director at South East Water, said: "All four companies are delighted to be able to lift restrictions across their entire supply areas much earlier than they expected and return to a normal service for customers.

"We would also like to thank them for their support while they have been in place.''

Gavin McHale, head of operations at Veolia Water Southeast, said: ``Our resources are recovering well and are close to being back to normal.''