South East Water asks customers to use water for essential purposes only during heatwave

South East Water asked its customers on 22 June 2026 to use water for essential purposes only, citing demand above the June average and temperatures widely expected to exceed 35°C that week. The company said the restriction covers hygiene, drinking and cooking, and that all hose use should pause.

The request follows a rise in demand during hot weather. South East Water reported that on Sunday 21 June the total amount of water treated and put into its network was 644 million litres, 56 million litres more than the average for June of 588 million litres. It said the figure is expected to rise further with hotter weather forecast later in the week.

The company said it is keeping water treatment works operating at capacity around the clock, increasing the number of teams fixing bursts and leaks, re-routing water around its network, using its fleet of tankers to inject water into the network and fill drinking water storage tanks, and managing pressure across the network. It said that when demand is as high as this on consecutive days, those living at the far end of the pipeline network, or on higher ground, can experience supply issues, because water is being used faster than it can be treated to refill the pipes and storage tanks.

The changes the company asked customers to make until temperatures reduce are set out below.

South East Water said it is taking direct action to build more resilience into its network to cope with the changing climate and more frequent heatwaves, but that building this infrastructure takes time. It said its long-term business plan details a proposed investment of £1.9bn over five years, designed to improve operational resilience while keeping customer bills affordable.

Why it matters for households

The request applies to South East Water customers in the company's supply area, from 22 June 2026 until temperatures reduce. The company said the aim is to keep taps flowing for everyone and to prevent further measures. It identified households at the far end of the pipeline network, or on higher ground, as those who can experience supply issues when high demand continues over consecutive days. The company's stated position is that pausing all hose use, including for paddling pools, hot tubs and jet washing, and using water only for hygiene, drinking and cooking, will help keep taps flowing. Further detail on household planning for hot, dry conditions is set out in the guide to heatwaves and drought, and practical measures for reducing use are covered in how to save water at home when supplies are low.

What happens next

South East Water said the request stands until temperatures reduce. It said it anticipates the volume of water treated and put into its network will rise further with hotter weather forecast later in the week, and that it is continuing the operational measures listed above in the meantime. No end date for the request has been reported.