South East Water blames work from home for garden hose ban

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By Tanya Gupta & PA NewsBBC NewsJune 24, 2023, 11:01 a.m. BST

Updated 3 hours ago

image source, Getty Images

Legend,

A ban was imposed earlier this month and action can be taken against abuse from Monday

A water company that imposed a garden hose ban blamed people working from home for the shortage.

South East Water, which supplies more than two million homes and businesses in Sussex and Kent, will implement the restriction from Monday.

Chief executive David Hinton said demand had increased by around 20% in a short period, which had put existing infrastructure under pressure.

Customers said the real problem was the company’s lack of investment.

A petition has been set up asking for a change of ownership at South East Water.

In a letter to customers, Mr Hinton described people working from home as a ‘key factor’ behind the ban.

He wrote: “Over the past three years, the way drinking water is used in the Southeast has changed significantly.

“The rise of working from home has increased the demand for clean water in suburban towns by about 20% in a very short period, testing our existing infrastructure.”

Mr Hinton also blamed low rainfall since April and a recent spell of hot weather, which he said has led to increased demand for drinking water.

“Our stocks of raw reservoir and aquifer water, essential for our water supply but not ready for use, are in a good position. However, the demand for treated city water, which takes time to treat and to deliver, was more than we could meet.

“Over the past week we have had to find water to supply the equivalent of four additional towns the size of Maidstone or Eastbourne daily.”

“Garden of England”

Artist Jutta Wrobel, 61, from Wadhurst, Sussex, who started an online petition calling for a change in ownership of South East Water after having no supply for five days, accused Mr Hinton of ‘blaming the victims”.

She said: “It’s a diversion from the real issue which is how do we stop South East Water from paying out all our money in dividends rather than reinvesting in our water infrastructure which is a public service and a public right. ‘male.

“We’re supposed to be the garden of England. We’re not supposed to ban garden hoses for two years in a row.”

Image Source, Southeast Water

Legend,

Bottled water stations have been installed at Haywards Heath, Crawley, Crowborough and Pembury

In recent weeks, schools have been closed, customers have relied on bottled water stations and people have been told to use water only for drinking, cooking and bathing to allow the network to fill.

It sent panic among the elderly and vulnerable who struggled to open heavy bottles, with Tory MP for Tunbridge Wells Greg Clark calling the situation ‘dismal’.

South East Water Head of Service Management Steve Andrews said: “We announced the temporary ban on use on Friday 16th June. After a period of consultation, we will be able to take action against customers who violate the garden hose restrictions from Monday June 26th. “

He said demand for tap water had decreased since the ban was introduced and he reminded customers to use water wisely.

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