East Sussex drought: 'water companies need to step up'

Dr Jess Neumann, associate professor of hydrology at the University of Reading, comments as the Environment Agency declared a drought for parts of Sussex. 

To arrange interviews with Dr Jess Neumann, contact the University of Reading Press Office on 0118 378 5757 or pressoffice@reading.ac.uk

“Parts of East Sussex are the latest areas to be declared in drought status following a record dry spring and summer which has seen Ardingly reservoir fall to just 27% capacity.

“We are now approaching halfway through meteorological autumn and there has been very little rainfall to speak of.

“Many parts of the country now need a prolonged wet winter to replenish our rivers and reservoirs - a few wetter weeks aren’t going to do it. As depressing as it might seem we need many more of those typically British grey days with steady rainfall.

“Most importantly, the water companies need to step up and take action now. If it ends up being a drier than normal winter we will find ourselves in a critical situation, potentially with more severe restrictions being imposed on customers while their water bills continue to rise.”