Many times, over the summer, we asked is there a drought in Camber, do we have a hosepipe ban, can I fill the paddling pool?
We certainly had a long dry summer but as I type this in mid-September, it’s chucking it down! So, I asked the professionals – the Environment Agency. Here is an extract from them.
In mid Sept 25, for the first time since January, England has received above average rainfall for the month and the wettest week for almost a year. However, the drought is not over, and it will require a wet autumn and winter to return us to a normal position.
The rain has helped as public water supply reservoir storage rose by 0.4% this week to 56.5%. However, not all reservoirs benefitted as levels have continued to fall at more than half of reservoirs.
Recent rainfall has increased soil movement as soils become wet again and expand, leading to more mains bursts and leaks.
Southern Water – Remains at drought level 2 in its Southampton West and Isle of Wight supply areas and implemented a TUB (temporary use bans) on 21 July for customers in these areas.
Southern Water applied to Defra on 18 July for a drought order to alter its River Test abstraction licence conditions and included an application for a non-essential use drought order. Following an objection to the drought order, a hearing took place on 28 August.
Southern Water has announced this week it has requested Defra pause the application due to recent rainfall increasing some river flows in the area, including the River Test.
South East Water – Remains at drought level 2. The company implemented a TUB in its Kent and Sussex supply areas on 18 July. Recent rainfall has helped improve river flows and stabilised reservoir storage, which had been declining steeply over the summer.
South East Water applied for the Ardingly winter drought permit on 28 August. The company is reviewing further actions that may be required. As of September 2025, Southern Water has a hosepipe ban in place across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, but not in other areas like Kent, East Sussex, or West Sussex.
