A water company has taken the unprecedented step of writing to 300,000 people urging them to help prevent a drought.

The message, personally addressed to customers, is a last-ditch attempt to stave off the worst water shortages in a decade.

Southern Water says low water levels have become so serious it has had to spend £60,000 sending out the warnings.

Emergency measures have been drawn up by water companies, which say Sussex faces the worst drought since 1996 following one of the driest winters for 100 years.

Southern Water hopes to avoid water rationing by asking people before the start of summer to conserve supplies.

It says, for example, that in February Sussex had only 25 per cent of the average monthly rainfall.

The company has launched its biggest campaign to date to encourage people not to waste scarce supplies, sending postcards to customers in the areas where reservoirs are at their lowest, along the Sussex Coast and in north Sussex.

If customers do not heed the water economy campaign, drought orders could be imposed.

They could include hosepipe bans followed by further rationing which could involve reductions in water pressure and switching off supplies to homes on a rotation basis.

Charlotte Jago, of Southern Water, said: "This is the first time we have sent postcards to 300,000 of our customers urging them to save water. It just shows the seriousness of the situation.

"All our water levels are down. We are confident we will be able get through this summer by moving water around Postcards warn of water cuts our area. We could take water from other regions but there are no plans to at the moment."

Both river and groundwater levels - water which has seeped into chalk and soil - have declined in the past month.

The Environment Agency has warned a hot, dry summer will see very low flows and forecasters are predicting a scorching August.

A spokeswoman said: "If river flows fall too low, then associated habitats, wildlife and fish may suffer and water quality is likely to decline due to insufficient effluent dilution.

"Water companies have assured us they will be able to maintain supplies to customers. We believe the worst scenario will be isolated hosepipe bans."

Bewl Reservoir, near Crowborough, has dropped to a level of 83 per cent.

Weir Wood reservoir, near Forest Row, is among the lowest in England - only 55 per cent full - and water is being pumped from the Hardham supply works at Pulborough.

The last water restrictions were in 1996, banning sprinklers and unattended hoses, and were lifted in May 1998. The last total hosepipe ban was in 1992.

Southern Water's postcards tell gardeners not to use garden sprinklers or hosepipes, urge them to water the roots of the plants rather than leaves, and only water with a watering can.

Householders are also being told to turn off taps when cleaning teeth, take a shower rather than bath, fit a flush bag to toilets and only switch on washing machines and dishwashers when there is a full load.

Friday, May 20 2005