Water leaks spotted in Brighton despite Sussex hosepipe ban

Two leaks were spotted in Brighton and reported to Southern Water, but residents claim action was not taken.

Jan Prest said that her friend spotted a leak at the bottom of Coldean Lane and was troubled by the lack of response by Southern Water after reporting it.

Jan said: "The reporting procedure was robotic and difficult."

Alison Ghani also reported a leak at a retail park in Lewes Road, but said that the issue appears not to have been fixed.

It comes as South East Water customers in certain parts of Sussex, including Eastbourne, Peacehaven and Seaford, have had a hosepipe ban enforced after prolonged periods of dry weather.

A spokesman for Southern Water said: “We understand that, at a time when we are asking customers to use their water wisely, leaks are even more of a focus.

“We fix hundreds of leaks every day - 22,500 last year alone, working day and night to detect and repair pipes as quickly as possible, and they have to be prioritised according to severity.

“Visible leaks are not often as serious as hidden leaks on larger pipes buried deep underground.

“We’d like to thank all the customers who tell us about leaks they spot. We’re investing heavily in intelligent network technology to help us locate leaks faster, but customers still provide a vital service by alerting us.”

A hosepipe ban is in effect for South East Water customers in Sussex and neighbouring Kent

A drought has been declared across Sussex as southern and eastern England continue to face dry conditions.

However, Southern Water has ruled out the prospect of an imminent hosepipe ban for its customers in the county.

The spokesman for the firm said: “While there is no current requirement for any restrictions, we keep in close contact with the government, regulators and environmental stakeholders and constantly review the position.”

Water leaks can be reported to Southern Water on their website or over the phone at 0300 820 999.