Make simple changes now to get more from this summer

A simple change now that saves water later can mean you enjoy more of this summer

So far, 2024 has brought a lot of rain. For drinking water suppliers like South East Water, this is great news, and the reservoirs and underground water stores are full.

Yet, recent summers have broken many weather records, and no one knows what this summer will bring.

Turning that rainfall into wholesome drinking water is a vital and complex process. South East Water cleans hundreds of millions of litres of water that falls as rain every day, into top-quality drinking water for everyone to use at home.

Like any fresh product, treated water can only be stored for so long and their network operates flat-out 24/7 during summer months to keep up with what is needed. But there’s only so much drinking water that can be processed each day, and when it gets really hot sometimes much more is needed than can be produced.

Making changes for the summer

So they’re asking everyone to make simple changes to make more of the summer. You can help by:

Installing water butts to capture the rain while it’s around
Pressure washing now, when water levels are higher
Re-using water from baths, basins or showers on your plants, instead of tap water
Planting drought-tolerant shrubs and flowers instead – they’re more vibrant and fragrant than you may realise!
Topping up that hot tub now, before the hotter months come

It’s not just about saving water, but when it’s used as well.

If everyone has the same idea to get the pressure washer out, fill up the pool or drench the flowerbeds all at the same time at the height of summer, it can put a strain on the water supply.

So if you can do some of those jobs now, you’ll be able to put your feet up later in the summer, and you’ll be helping your community to stay in supply.

South East Water is also doing its bit and getting summer-ready, by making sure sites in Sussex are in tip-top shape to meet the challenges that summer could bring. They’re also upgrading the network and having extra teams out and about finding and fixing leaks.

Together, if everyone makes simple changes, we can make more of this summer.

Find out more on the website