Specialist technology is boosting the quality of a town's tap water.

A £3 million scheme at Southern Water's supply works in Arundel has been completed and aims to provide high-quality drinking water and vital supplies to the area during a time of drought.

Almost three million litres of water a day are now available to the people of the town and the surrounding area.

Water from underground sources is filtered through more than 190 fine membranes before coming out of customers' taps. Jon Crooke, the company's water operations manager, said: "This is an extremely important scheme, not only because of the improvements it is bringing to water quality but also because it now means more water is available to our customers."

Mr Crooke said in 11 of the last 14 months there has been below average rainfall in Sussex and many water sources have dropped to the lowest levels ever seen.

He said: "We need about fifty per cent more rainfall than normal over the remaining winter months to allow sources to recover in time for the summer."

Southern Water has also installed larger pumps at its Stanhope water supply works in Worthing so an extra 2.5 million litres of water can be used. A scheme to refurbish Northbrook water supply works is also underway.

Mr Crooke said: "We are continuing to do everything we can to make the most of the water available and to move it from areas where it is more plentiful to those where there is less.

"We have received great support from the public and are continuing to urge everyone to reduce water wastage in their homes, gardens and businesses."