A hosepipe ban has been lifted for the county following a month of torrential rain and widespread flooding.
South East Water was left with “no choice” but to restrict hosepipe use in August following record summer temperatures for the UK.
The water provider is warning people to still be “mindful of their water use” where possible to allow reservoirs to continue to recover.
Water levels at Arlington reservoir hit their lowest point of 33.4 per cent on October 23, while Ardingly reservoir was at its lowest of 22.7 per cent on October 16 this year.
Ardingly is now back up to around 80 per cent and Arlington is back up to just under 50 per cent.
A spokesman for South East Water: “The significant rain throughout November has really helped our rivers and reservoirs recover from the scorching summer.
“The ground is now wet enough for water to continue to fill our underground chalk aquifers, and the rain has meant enough surface water is able to run into our rivers and reservoirs.
“While the recent heavy rainfall has significantly increased the useable capacity of both our reservoirs and our underground water sources, we still need to save water where we can.
“Despite water levels being high enough to lift the temporary hosepipe ban, we need our customers to continue to be mindful of their water use where possible, to help our rivers and reservoirs continue to recover, and protect the precious local habitats that rely on them too.
“It’s not just people who need water. Trees, plants, crops, wildlife, livestock, fish, birds and insects – indeed all flora and fauna – depend on the same water to survive and thrive.”
The hosepipe ban was lifted the day after The Argus reported on the fact it was still in place.
The hosepipe ban covered South East Water customers in Alfriston, Barcombe Mills and Haywards Heath, all places that have had flooding over the past few weeks.
The company cited high demand for water during the summer, coupled with the driest eight-month stint since 1976 between November 2021 and July 2022.
The hosepipe ban has also been lifted for Kent.
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