A hosepipe ban affecting South East Water customers came into affect on Friday, July 18. Villages to the north of Rye in Sussex and to the east in Kent are affected, along with 1.4 million residents across both counties.
A spokesperson for South East Water says the ban is needed because of a prolonged period of dry and warm weather. “This combination of heat and sunshine, coupled with very low rainfall, has created challenging conditions across much of the country for agriculture and water resources.”
The company says the demand for water has also broken all previous records. “It has increased to the highest levels we have ever seen for this time of year, reaching 680 million litres of water on June 30 2025. On some days, we’ve been producing in the region of an extra 120 million litres of water a day – equivalent to supplying four towns the size of Eastbourne.”
David Hinton, Chief Executive Officer, South East Water, said: “Despite asking for customers’ help to use water for essential uses only, regrettably we’ve now been left with no choice but to introduce this temporary use ban restriction to protect customers supplies and the environment across Kent and Sussex.”
Anyone flouting the ban could face a fine of up to £1000. Banned activities include using a hosepipe to water the garden, fill a paddling pool or wash the car.
South East Water has been unable to confirm how long the ban will be in place. Southern Water, which covers most homes and businesses around Rye has not announced a ban yet and says it does not expect tocurrentl.
The scale of how the hot weather and lack of rainfall has affected the area is shown in this photos from Northiam. Vic Vicarey who took them, says it makes it look like autumn has come early. “The soaring temperatures and heatwave has led to the trees losing their leaves early. I couldn’t believe the amount of golden crispy leaves falling from the trees on the playing fields.”
Image Credits: Vic Vicarey .
Hastings and Rye do not have a hosepipe ban, would anyone care to explain why this is?
Do they get their water from a different source?