LET IT RAIN, LET IT RAIN, LET IT RAIN

While some people may be hoping for the arrival of snow in time for the festive season, South East Water is praying for rain '“ and lots of it too.

The extended dry, cold snap meant that during November, around half the amount of rainfall was received compared to the long term average across large parts of the company's supply area in Sussex and Kent.

As a result, the southern region has experienced the driest 11 month period since 1976.

The region now needs about 130% of long term average rainfall for the rest of the winter for underground sources to fully recover from the drought. These groundwater sources account for about 75 per cent of South East Water's supplies.

The company's three strategic reservoirs in Sussex and Kent remain at low levels for the time of year. Ardingly Reservoir is currently 52% full, Arlington is 56% full and Pembury is 53% full.

In the meantime a hosepipe ban, introduced in July, remains in force for customers in Sussex and Kent, until there is enough rainfall for the company to be confident it has sufficient supplies to meet demands for water next summer.

And while there are currently no restrictions in the company's northern region, which covers north Hampshire and parts of Berkshire and Surrey, some water sources there, too, are also below average for the time of year, so care is still needed to avoid wasting water.

James Grinnell, Water Resources Manager, said: "The recent cold, dry snap could well be a prelude to the cold, dry winter predicted by the Met Office's long term weather forecast.

"If that proves accurate, and there is a repeat of last winter's low rainfall, it could lead to a more serious shortage - and possibly further and more widespread restrictions '“ next summer.

"We now need well above average rainfall during the winter months to refill these sources, especially the underground aquifers, to avoid that possibility."

South East Water is continuing to work with the Environment Agency and other water companies at a regional level to manage the current water resources situation, while urging customers to continue conserving water to help avoid more serious water shortages next summer.

Customers can visit www.southeastwater.co.uk for further water saving tips.