Rain returns but parts of Sussex still in severe drought

Storm Austen and Storm Boelo, the first two named storms of the season, have brought lashing rain and heavy winds to Sussex.

Damage included part of Brighton's iconic West Pier collapsing into the sea, one side of a petrol station roof in Newhaven coming loose, and a tree falling on to a platform at Angmering station.

Over the summer the UK experienced multiple heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures, with parts of the county in a "severe drought" following a declaration made by the government earlier this month.

But now the weather has turned wet and windy - so why is Sussex still in a severe drought?

The declaration of severe drought is not linked to current rainfall, but to reservoir levels.

When making its recent assessment, the Environment Agency (EA) concluded that these levels have been significantly depleted by the South East experiencing its driest April to September in over a century.

Specifically, the government said the change to severe drought status had been prompted by concerns for two major reservoirs, Ardingly in West Sussex and Wimbleball in Somerset.

Ardingly serves 280,000 customers across East and West Sussex.

On 14 October, South East Water said the reservoir was 19.4% full. A day later, severe drought was declared.

The latest reading reveals that Ardingly is 17.1% full, prompting the water company to reduce the daily volume of water released from the reservoir into the River Ouse to protect drinking supplies.

According to research published by the EA and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in September, England needs 120% of its typical rainfall over the next seven months for all areas to be considered out of drought.

No new major reservoirs have been built in England since 1992.

However, in 2024 the government announced proposals to build nine by 2050.

South East Water has submitted a proposal to build a new reservoir at Broad Oak, near Canterbury.

The company expects an outline planning application to be ready in 2028, and if approved, construction would begin in 2031 ahead of water supply beginning in 2035.

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