Bosses at South East Water warned that a dry spring could see hosepipe restrictions brought back. The firm urged customers to slash shower times to reduce water use
Water bosses have warned of hosepipe bans returning in months – despite endless rain this year.
Crisis-hit South East Water (SEW), which only last week ended a six-month ban imposed in 2025, said a dry spring could see restrictions enforced again. And the company urged millions of residents to leave dirty plates in dishwashers and slash shower times to reduce water use.
SEW, which recently left thousands of customers without water in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, said: “Looking ahead, we need people to be mindful about how much water they use, so we can protect our water resources and help us meet demand across spring and summer this year.
“A dry spring could still cause problems later in summer if groundwater doesn’t fully recover, so we’re monitoring that as part of our drought management.”
The company added: “We need to work together to use water wisely. By making simple changes, we can help protect our water resources. Turn the shower off when you’re lathering up, and stick to four minutes running water time. And only put dishwashers on when you have a full load.”
And the advice sparked fury among customers on social media. Ian Winter wrote on Facebook: “It’s apparently customers’ fault for using too much water, not the fact they lose millions of litres of water from leaks.”
Resident Sarah Brown quipped: “Better pressure wash everything in sight before hosepipes are banned again in the spring.”
It comes after weather chiefs said 2026 is the second wettest year so far since 1836 in much of southern England. Meanwhile, MP for Sussex Weald Nusrat Ghani launched an online survey for local residents to share their experiences of SEW’s recent outages.
Ghani said: “Sadly, we are all too familiar with South East Water (SEW) letting down their customers and I share everyone’s frustration at the lack of planning and the speed of response when such disruptive events take place. I did all I could to fight for compensation for local residents in the past, and I will continue to fight their corner now.”