World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Low reservoir levels put winter water supplies at risk in Sussex
Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex supplies about 280,000 people in Haywards Heath and nearby areas of East Sussex.
It has fallen to 20.2% full after a record-dry spring and summer.
South East Water says supplies in the region are under severe pressure, and it cannot promise that Tunbridge Wells and other areas will avoid outages this winter.
The company’s chief executive has warned that standpipes could be needed, while a hosepipe ban in Sussex is expected to continue until next year.
Dry ground has also contributed to more burst pipes and leaks, and water use fell by about 5% after the company asked customers to cut back, rather than the 10% it had hoped for.
South East Water is considering upgrades to treatment works and sending more water into the reservoir’s source, the River Ouse.
The Environment Agency says England needs 20% more rainfall than average through the end of April for all areas to leave drought status.
Ardingly Reservoir in Sussex has fallen to 20.2 per cent full, raising concerns about winter water supplies for the 280,000 people it serves.
South East Water chief executive John Halsall said supplies in the region were under severe pressure and he could not promise that areas would avoid winter outages.
The reservoir’s level fell from 22.8 per cent a week earlier, after a record-breaking dry spring and summer.
South East Water ended exemptions to a months-long hosepipe ban in Sussex, with the rules expected to remain until next year.
- Who
- Ardingly Reservoir serves 280,000 residents in Haywards Heath and surrounding areas in East Sussex. South East Water is responsible for the supply.
- What
- Low reservoir levels have raised concern about winter water supplies and possible outages.
- When
- The report was published on 12 October 2026. The hosepipe ban is expected to remain in place until next year.
- Where
- Haywards Heath, West Sussex, and surrounding areas in East Sussex.
- Why
- A record-breaking dry spring and summer reduced reservoir levels. Dry ground has also contributed to more burst pipes.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
We have lost trust because our performance hasn't been good enough.
One challenge is a recent increase in burst pipes.
Rainfall was more than 80 per cent lower than average in some areas.
Ardingly Reservoir was 22.8 per cent full.
Ardingly Reservoir was reported at 20.2 per cent full, and South East Water ended exemptions to the Sussex hosepipe ban.
- Reservoir
- Ardingly Reservoir
- Current level
- 20.2 per cent full
- Previous level
- 22.8 per cent full a week earlier
- People served
- 280,000
- Water demand reduction
- Around 5 per cent, compared with around 10 per cent expected
- National reservoir storage
- Around 54 per cent, roughly a fifth below average for this time of year
Sources
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