Resilience of Water Supplies

Since Storm Eunice in March 2022, I have been pressing SE Water, water regulators and the Sussex Resilience Forum to ensure that residents are better supported during major water loss incidents.

Storm Eunice highlighted a lack of resilience at SE Water pumping and treatment sites during power loss events.  When a small number of homes lost power, hundreds more lost water as the re-connection to water sites was not prioritised by UK Power Networks. 

I am assured that the utility companies are now working more closely to identify priority sites for reconnection during power loss but I want further assurance that SE Water is doing more to make their sites more resilient and improve services to residents who lose water supplies, whatever the reason.

Looking after residents involved more partnership working with parish and town councils, district councils and the Sussex Resilience Forum.  Further water loss events in 2022 indicated that more work still needs to be done.

You can find further information on the work I have been doing in this area, as well as copies of relevant correspondence, in the links below.

 

News

It is important that all our utilities are strong and resilient

I want to start my column this week by recognising our local students on their A-level, T-level and BTEC results from last week and our GCSE students on their results from yesterday.  Congratulations to everyone who got the results they were hoping for. To those who didn’t get the results they

Response from Ofwat to Huw's letter of 23 June

In June, I wrote to the Chief Executive of Ofwat asking for an update on what Ofwat has asked of South East Water in relation to the company’s investment in making their network more resilient which justify the extra charges which have been applied to customers’ bills for this purpose.  I have

Letter to Ofwat CEO regarding South East Water resilience plans

I have written to the CEO of Ofwat asking for an update on what Ofwat has asked of South East Water in relation to the company’s investment in making their network more resilient which justify the extra charges which have been applied to customers’ bills for this purpose.  You can read the full

Update from South East Water

Please see below an update I recieved from David Hinton CEO of South East Water about the recent Temporary Use Ban and the steps they are taking to ensure a reliable water network.    Good afternoon,

Temporary Use Ban June 2023

As I am sure that many of you are aware, South East Water has introduced a temporary hosepipe ban.  There is no set end date, South East Water have said they will be reviewing the situation every 7 days.  I will be sure to share any updates I receive with you.  Following on from my w