Call to swap paddling pools for water blasters

South East Water (SEW) is urging customers to swap paddling pools for water blasters to help keep taps flowing as the hot weather is expected to continue.

It comes as several areas in Kent and Sussex have been hit with water supply disruptions over the bank holiday and earlier this week.

A company spokesperson is calling for residents to use water for "essential purposes only", such as drinking, washing and cooking.

"This weekend saw the first heatwave of the year and the hottest May day on record," they said. "As expected, demand for water has surged."

They said the combination of high demand and normal levels of leaks and bursts had caused the "intermittent supply issues".

"As the hot weather is set to last a few more days we're asking for your help to keep taps flowing locally," they added.

SEW have requested that people stop using jet washers, hosepipes and sprinklers and to swap paddling pools for water blasters to keep children cool.

The company also recommended that customers, where possible, swap tap water for recycled water and to reuse water from baths, showers and sinks in the garden.

SEW said the water network was a "like motorway" - when everyone uses it all at once, roads come to a standstill.

"When a whole neighbourhood uses water all at the same time, it pulls water out of the local pipes so fast that the pressure drops," it said.

"The result is the families living at the far end of the network or on higher ground can see their taps run completely dry."

SEW said its team members had been "working tirelessly" to repair leaks and bursts.

"While this is normal across our 9,000 miles of pipe that works under high pressure at all times, we are working hard to fix these as quickly as possible," the company said.

It added it was increasing output at its water treatment works across supply areas, as well as putting extra water into the network.

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