We need 12 weeks of rain, say water chiefs

Water company bosses have said that the county's hosepipe ban could continue well into the autumn unless rainfall picks up in the next month.

By The Newsroom

Published 31st Aug 2005, 12:10 BST

Updated 8th Jun 2018, 03:36 BST

Figures for August 10 show that Weir Wood reservoir, the main water supply for West Sussex is at 36 per cent capacity '“ well below the 50 per cent average minimum for October 1995 and September 2003.

A water summit was held at County Hall, Chichester last week to address the crisis and to discuss what future action should be taken.

Representatives from Southern Water '“ the main supplier for West Sussex '“ Portsmouth Water and the Environment Agency met with Louise Goldsmith, cabinet member for the environment and the economy.

Jessica Spratt, of Southern Water, the county's main water company said that although rainfall in the last week had helped ease water demand, at least 12 weeks of constant rain would be needed to replenish underground water supplies. Around 70 per cent of the county's water comes from underground sources.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette, September 1.