Residents are quick to stock up on water-saving devices

Southern Water reports that demand for free and discounted products available to its customers in the Observer area has rocketed since the announcement of measures to help beat the current drought in the South East. Following the second driest 12 months on record, Southern Water has introduced restrictions on water use in Kent and Sussex, primarily covering its domestic supply customers. The restrictions were announced on March 12, resulting in a rise of over 200 per cent in the number of visits to www.southernwater.co.uk/discounts - the section of Southern Water’s website offering free save a flush bags and discounted products including water butts, tap aerators and water efficient showerheads. Customers can also download a voucher for 20 per cent off a range of water saving gardening products at DIY chain B&Q. As a result of this surge in interest, more than 1,600 water butts were sold to Southern Water customers via the firm’s website during March, an eight fold increase on the previous month. Andy Shaddick, Southern Water’s Public Affairs Manager, said: “The demand we are experiencing for water saving products which are available free or at a special discount to Southern Water customers is a clear sign that people are responding to the call to help save water and beat the drought. “Putting a free save a flush bag in larger toilet cisterns will save around a litre of water per flush, whilst installing a water efficient shower-head can reduce the amount of water a shower uses by a third. Buying a water butt to help collect rainwater when it does rain will help reduce the amount of mains water people use for things like watering plants.” Customers can visit www.southernwater.co.uk/drought for the latest information on the drought, as well as a wide range of tips for saving water.