Water latest

As we step into spring, the milder temperatures may mean we start thinking about the outdoors once again. Right now, our water resources are in a good position, and the demand for water is near-average levels. But we still need to work together to make sure there is enough water for everyone!

So, now is the perfect time to pick up some tips on getting prepared for the summer ahead.

For the gardeners out there:

1. Getting ahead - Creating a barrier between the soil and the sun will protect it as summer rolls around. It can also help the roots maintain more of the water rather than evaporate in warmer temperatures. You can do this with products like mulch or bark chippings are ideal.
2. Water by the buttload - Now is the perfect time to capture some of that free rain that your plants love, by installing a water butt. It takes a few minutes and there are some really stylish water butts available that can blend into your outdoor space. You can also get discounted water butts from us, check them out here(opens in a new tab).
3. Let the rain do the work - Plants prefer the pH levels of rainwater, so making the most of the rain now for drier periods means your plants will love you for it. They also need a breather from the rain too. Be a weather watcher - it could really help save you a job.

For non-gardeners, you can still get involved too, check out our helpful pages and FREE products to help you be a water-saver.

We're constantly making improvements to our network to help us ensure a resilient supply by:

Increasing

• the number of tanks that store our clean water
• the amount of water we have available

Replacing and repairing

• pipes - between 2021 and 2023 we completed 4,482 repairs where we replaced small sections of pipe equivalent to 21.30 kilometres
• we have also replaced larger sections of pipe, 115 kilometres to be exact, which is equivalent to more than 1,000 football pitches

Installing

• new meters so we can more accurately see how the water is flowing around the network

Forecasting

• analysing data to forecast how much water we need to abstract, treat and pump
• looking at the weather and when we think we may have extreme weather or fluctuations that could cause burst pipes

If you want to understand more about what goes into supplying water, then check out our blog - Water water everywhere. How do we get it from here to there?

We also want to continue investing and improving your water supply, and our most ambitious business plan has now been submitted to our regulator, Ofwat. Read our business plan for 2025 to 2030.

We are also preparing for the future; by 2033, we plan to build a new reservoir in east Kent, that will help meet demand as well as create new habitats, increase biodiversity, and provide countless social benefits for the local community. Keep up to date with the Broad Oak Reservoir project.

With all the rain we have had, our reservoirs have bounced back. Our water resources across the region are all still at good levels.

However, it's always best to be mindful of your water use all year round.

During spring, we suggest preparing your garden for summer and have plenty of tips and ways we can support you with this. Find out more by clicking the button below.