Drought formally declared in Sussex due to falling reservoir levels at Ardingly

A hosepipe ban in the area will remain in place until water supply is secured, particularly at the reservoir Credit: ITV News Meridian

The Environment Agency has officially announced a drought in areas of Sussex served by South East Water, citing low reservoir levels in the Ardingly Reservoir.

Areas around Haywards Heath and Eastbourne move to drought status, while adjoining parts of Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire remain in a prolonged dry-weather stage.

The reservoir’s water level is falling sharply. Now at just 27.6 % of capacity, after weeks of low rainfall and sustained high demand.

The reservoir supplies 228,000 homes with drinking water. Credit: ITV News Meridian

Richard O’Callaghan, Environment Agency’s Area Manager, warned that a few rain spells won’t undo months of dryness, and only sustained wetter weather will restore reservoirs, rivers and groundwater.

He said that this particular part of the region is struggling a lot more than others.

"Resilience in each water supply zone is different," said O'Callaghan. "Droughts will affect different supply zones differently, what we're seeing here that is a set of circumstances... has shown there is a security of supply challenge that has been gradually escalating over the past few months.

  • The Environment Agency says an order has been applied for to use water from the River Ouse to help fill up Ardingly Reservoir over Winter.

South East Water has applied for a drought order to preserve remaining supply, and new exemptions to the existing hosepipe ban have been removed.

The Environment Agency says this declaration activates further measures in drought management plans, with officials urging the public to conserve water by shortening showers, fixing leaks, and reusing grey water.

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