South East Water Hosepipe Ban – Lifted Across Kent and Sussex

South East Water has lifted its hosepipe ban across Kent and Sussex, marking the end of restrictions that affected approximately 1.4 million customers for more than six months. The Temporary Use Ban, which came into force on 18 July 2025, was officially removed at 09:00 on 5 February 2026, according to official announcements from the water company.

The decision to end the ban followed a significant recovery in water supplies, driven by above-average winter rainfall and strong customer cooperation during the restriction period. Reservoirs in the region have substantially recharged, with groundwater levels returning to healthier ranges after the driest spring recorded since 1893 triggered the original restrictions.

The Environment Agency confirmed the region has moved from “drought” to “recovery” status, providing additional official backing to the company’s decision. While South East Water continues to monitor supplies closely, current assessments indicate no immediate plans for summer 2026 restrictions, though customers are encouraged to stay informed about their local supply conditions.

Is there a South East Water hosepipe ban update today?

• The ban was lifted at 09:00 on 5 February 2026, with immediate effect across all South East Water supply areas
• Reservoir levels have recovered significantly, with Ardingly reaching full capacity and Arlington at 83%
• Groundwater levels have returned to healthier ranges following above-average winter rainfall
• The Environment Agency moved the region from “drought” to “recovery” status before the lift
• Customer cooperation during the restriction period contributed substantially to supply recovery

Which postcodes are affected by the South East Water hosepipe ban?

South East Water serves Kent and Sussex with water supplies, covering approximately 1.4 million customers across these regions. The company’s supply area applies to properties connected to its distribution network, which spans both counties comprehensively.

How to check if your property is in a South East Water area

While no dedicated postcode checker tool exists specifically for ban status, South East Water provides its AquAlerter tool and site map for customers to confirm their supplier. Properties in Kent and Sussex connected to the South East Water network would have been subject to the now-lifted restrictions.

Those unsure of their water supplier can use What Is My Postcode to identify their local provider and supply area. The tool helps property owners determine which water company serves their location, which is particularly useful for those moving to new areas or managing property portfolios.

Understanding supply areas and water companies

England’s water supply is divided among multiple regional providers, each serving specific geographic areas. South East Water operates independently from Southern Water, which serves different regions including parts of Kent and Sussex, though those areas were not affected by South East Water’s restrictions.

South East Water hosepipe ban in Hampshire

South East Water does not supply Hampshire, so its hosepipe ban did not apply to properties in that county. Customers in Hampshire receive their water from other providers, primarily Southern Water, which operates separate supply networks in that region.

Southern Water restrictions in Hampshire

Southern Water imposed its own hosepipe ban in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight starting 21 July 2025, coinciding with South East Water’s restrictions but representing a separate company’s measures. Southern Water’s restrictions applied to its customer base in those areas and operated independently from South East Water’s Kent and Sussex ban.

Identifying your water supplier in Hampshire

Properties in Hampshire connected to Southern Water’s network would have been subject to that company’s restrictions rather than South East Water’s measures. The availability of alternative water bottles, such as those available through the Owala Water Bottle UK selection, remains a matter of personal preference rather than necessity given the current supply situation.

Southern Water hosepipe ban status

Southern Water operates a separate supply network from South East Water, serving customers in Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight. While South East Water has lifted its restrictions, Southern Water’s position differs as it manages its own reservoir and groundwater resources independently.

Southern Water restrictions in 2025

Southern Water introduced its own Temporary Use Ban in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from 21 July 2025, targeting approximately 94,000 customers in those areas. These restrictions applied specifically to Southern Water’s customer base and operated under separate management from South East Water’s Kent and Sussex measures.

Current Southern Water status

Research results do not specify a lift date for Southern Water’s Hampshire and Isle of Wight restrictions. Customers in those areas should verify current status directly with Southern Water through its official channels, as the company’s supply recovery timeline may differ from South East Water’s.

Timeline of the South East Water hosepipe ban

The South East Water hosepipe ban spanned more than six months, beginning during one of the driest periods in recorded British weather history and ending following substantial recovery in water resources. Below is a chronological account of key events during this period.

1. 11 July 2025: South East Water announces Temporary Use Ban following the driest spring since 1893 and record demand levels
2. 18 July 2025: Hosepipe ban comes into force across Kent and Sussex, affecting approximately 1.4 million customers
3. 22 September 2025: Drought Permit granted for River Ouse, enabling additional water abstraction measures
4. 17 October 2025: Additional restrictions introduced specifically for Sussex customers amid continued dry conditions
5. 3 December 2025: Drought Order granted, superseding the earlier permit with equivalent water management impacts; minimal environmental effects documented
6. January 2026: Environment Agency shifts the region from “drought” to “recovery” status
7. 5 February 2026 at 09:00: Full hosepipe ban lifted across Kent and Sussex following reservoir and groundwater recovery

What is certain and uncertain about the South East Water hosepipe ban

The lifting of South East Water’s hosepipe ban is well-documented through official sources, though some aspects of the broader water supply situation remain subject to ongoing assessment. The following comparison clarifies what is definitively established versus what requires further verification.

Why was the South East Water hosepipe ban imposed?

South East Water imposed its Temporary Use Ban in response to extreme weather conditions that severely depleted water resources across its supply area. The spring of 2025 proved to be the driest since 1893, creating unprecedented pressure on reservoirs and groundwater sources that typically sustain the region’s water needs.

Record demand compound the supply challenges, as customer water usage reached levels that exceeded what the reduced resources could sustainably support. The combination of diminished natural water availability and heightened consumption necessitated emergency measures to protect essential supplies for health, hygiene, and firefighting purposes.

The Drought Permit and subsequent Drought Order granted additional powers to manage water abstraction from the River Ouse, reflecting the severity of conditions. These measures represented escalation of water management interventions as the dry period extended through autumn and early winter, though the arrival of above-average winter rainfall eventually enabled the recovery that led to the ban’s removal.

What sources confirm the South East Water hosepipe ban status

Multiple authoritative sources verify the current status of South East Water’s hosepipe ban. The company’s official website provides the primary confirmation of the ban’s removal, including the specific timing of 09:00 on 5 February 2026. Regional media outlets including ITV Meridian have reported on the development, providing independent corroboration of the official announcements.

South East Water lifted its hosepipe ban across Kent and Sussex with immediate effect at 09:00 on 5 February 2026, after it began on 18 July 2025. This ended restrictions for about 1.4 million customers.

— ITV Meridian, 5 February 2026

The Environment Agency provides additional official confirmation through its drought status classifications, having shifted the region from “drought” to “recovery” status in January 2026. Academic commentary from the University of Reading has offered expert perspective on the broader pressures facing water resources in the region.

What is the current South East Water hosepipe ban status?

South East Water’s hosepipe ban has been lifted. The Temporary Use Ban that affected approximately 1.4 million customers in Kent and Sussex ended on 5 February 2026, with restrictions no longer in force across the company’s supply area. The recovery in reservoir levels, particularly Ardingly reaching full capacity and Arlington at 83%, combined with improved groundwater conditions, enabled this decision.

The water company continues to monitor supply levels closely but has indicated no plans for hosepipe restrictions during summer 2026. Customers can use the company’s official channels to stay informed about any future developments in their local water supply situation.

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