Drought-hit Worthing has been forced to draw on a disused water souce to keep householders supplied this summer.

With the town facing its biggest water crisis since 1933, Southern Water has spent £3.5 milion recommissioning a borehole which hasn't been used for nine years.

New equipment will draw up to seven million litres of water a day from the chalk aquifer nearly 50 metres below the old pumping station at Southdownview Way, East Worthing.

Southern Water said it could provide nearly half of Worthing's water supply this summer, alleviating fears that the town's 100,000 residents may have to use standpipes.

Southern Water spokesman Mike James said: "The water will be purified and sampled before being pumped into supply pipes.

"Work began in November to decommission the works and install an entirely new plant including borehole pumps and linings, and two carbon filtration vessels.

"This, in conjunction with a disinfection plant and chlorine system, will allow up to seven million litres of water to be treated and brought into service every day.

"The project was not due for completion until the end of the year but thanks to the work being fasttracked by Southern Water, the water will be pumped to Worthing homes and businesses as early as this summer."

Worthing is served by two other boreholes, which the Environment Agency said were only 43 per cent and 61 per cent full.

The crisis caused coun John Livermore, cabinet member for planning on Worthing Borough Council, to question Southern Water's reluctance to oppose the construction of thousands of new homes in the area, including 875 at West Durrington.

Steve Fastnedge, site manager for the firm carrying out the work for Southern Water, said: "We've successfully overcome a number of problems, not least being the difficulties involved in gaining access for the large tanks which had to be crane-lifted into position at this small, congested site."

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton said: "I am very encouraged that Southern Water have acted so quickly to invest in bringing precious water resources on stream to my constituents in Worthing to help the situation, and now it is up to all households to do their bit to use water wisely and reduce consumption.