SOUTH East Water is asking residents in Basingstoke to 'reduce water use' at peak times to prevent low-pressure issues. 

The water company, which provides water to Basingstoke residents, has issued a Temporary Use Ban (TUB) for customers living in Kent and Sussex, which comes into force on Monday, June 26, because demand for drinking water in these areas has reached ‘record levels’.

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It has not issued a TUB for Basingstoke residents, but it is asking customers in this area to ‘use hosepipes sparingly to ensure there is enough water for everyone’. 

Its website advises Basingstoke customers to reduce water use in the morning and evening to ‘prevent low-pressure issues at peak times’.

The company said it had been left with "no choice but to restrict the use of hosepipes and sprinklers" in Kent and Sussex, and said it has issued the TUB to "ensure we have enough water for both essential uses and to protect the environment". 

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It added: “The South East has experienced a prolonged period of dry weather, meaning we’re pumping much more drinking water to customer taps than normal.

“This, coupled with the high temperatures experienced in recent weeks, has seen demand for treated water reach record levels.”

This has impacted some customers who have experienced low pressure or no water because drinking water stocks have reduced to “very low levels”.

The company has not ruled out putting in place a TUB for Basingstoke.

If restrictions are imposed it will mean customers cannot use hosepipes for watering gardens, washing cars, patios and boats, and filling swimming and paddling pools.