Hosepipe ban introduced by South East Water as heatwave causes surge in demand

Company urges customers in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire to use water only for essential purposes as temperatures soar

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A hosepipe ban has been put in place by South East Water in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, after a surge in demand amid the ongoing heatwave.

The company said it treated and supplied 644m litres of water on Sunday 21 June, 56m litres more than the average daily demand for June of 588m litres.