Hosepipe ban: Restrictions introduced after 'record demand' with huge fines for rule breakers

Schools in the two counties have been forced to close during the warm weather.

Bottled water stations have also been set up as the utility firm said demand for drinking water has reached “record levels”.

South East Water revealed the temporary hosepipe restrictions will come into force from June 26.

The ban will prevent customers from watering their gardens, washing their cars, boats or patios and ban them from filling paddling or swimming pools.

People caught breaking the ban could face a a £1,000 fine.

Wadhurst, Mayfield, Biddenden and Staplehurst have also been affected by water outages.

Supply problems have sparked outrage and local MPs have spoken out about the situation.

Tunbridge Wells' Tory MP Greg Clark said: "It’s completely unacceptable that we should be, whether in the winter or summer, worried about getting water, or in many cases not getting it."

David Hinton, chief executive of South East Water, said: “This situation has developed much more rapidly than last year.

"Understandably, we’ve seen customer demand increase in line with the hotter weather, however this has impacted our ability to keep all customers in supply at all times.

“Despite asking for customers help to use water for essential uses only, regrettably we’ve now been left with no choice but to introduce this temporary use ban restriction to protect customers supplies across Kent and Sussex.

“The long-term forecast for the rest of the summer is for a dry period with little rainfall, although temperatures may reduce slightly.

“Restricting the use of hosepipes and sprinklers to make sure we have enough water for our customers’ essential use, will ensure we can serve our vulnerable customers and to protect the local environment.”

South East Water serves 2.3 million people across Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Sussex and Kent.