WATER shortages have been a constant in the news for several weeks now, whether they be caused by the heatwaves, leakages or burst pipes.

This problem is obviously going to be on going as our environment is constantly heating up due to climate change. The problem is also increased by the amount of water households and everyday living use ie washing machines, dishwashers, car washes and paddling/swimming pools.

As a family, we moved to Hollingbury in June 1950 when I was five and three quarters.

The summers back then could be rather damp, especially during the school holidays, or so it seemed at the time.

The winters were severe. We would be cut off for weeks on end with very deep snow. One year the Woodbourne garage had to be dug out by a snowplough. Ditchling Road from Woodbourne Garage to the top of Coldean Lane was cut off for weeks on end.

The amount of water used by households, and life in general, wasn’t so demanding as it is now. No dishwashers and washing machines for example. This meant that there was more water available. Plus the fact that in winter the snow melted, eventually, and helped to fill the reservoirs and rivers.

The ocean-going cruise liners use seawater which is purified for use on board, as they are unable to pop in to dock somewhere and refill their tanks from stand pipes. Surely this is something that could be considered for the future.

There are a lot of islands who operate this system already. This would obviously be very costly, but worthwhile in the end. The unnecessary and astronomically high bonuses the water bosses are paid each year could go towards the cost of such work. Why are they paid a bonus for doing their job, for which they are paid a vastly high salary? It is us, the consumer who foots this bill. I worked full time for 45 years and no one ever paid me a bonus.

With the high cost of living hitting the pockets of the population, something needs to be done to solve the many crises we are experiencing.

Christine Luffman

Rotherfield Crescent

Hollingbury

Brighton