Thriving environment

Our business is intrinsically linked to the environment as we rely on it for our raw product, water. For this reason we do all we can to ensure there is a clean, resilient and sustainable supply available for current and future water customers whilst ensuring there is enough water available to support the needs of the environment too. Click 'Discover More' to find out more from our Head of Environment, Emma Goddard.

Low carbon sustainable business

We’re committed to playing our part to tackle the causes of climate change and transitioning to low-carbon operations, achieving net zero by 2030. Click ‘Discover more’ to find out more from our Carbon Strategy and Economic Manager, Matt Hersey.

Securing the future of water

Resilient water resources are needed to ensure we have enough water to supply our customers into the future, while ensuring enough remains in the environment so habitats can thrive. Click ‘Discover more’ to find out more from our Head of Water Resources, Nick Price.

Future ready business

Our people are dedicated to providing you with the best service possible, whether they’re out in the field searching for leaks, managing our operational sites, testing the quality of your water or answering your queries. Each and every person within the business is dedicated to delivering you the safe reliable tap water supply you expect. Click 'Discover more' to find out more from our Head of HR, Sian Jenkins.

Last updated 08-07-25

Graph displaying performance against target

Dry weather (or a drought) is a natural event which happens when a period of prolonged low rainfall creates a water shortage.

There are four recognised forms of Drought; Meteorological, Agricultural, Ecological and Hydrological, of which the later has particular relevance given South East Water’s reliance on both groundwater and surface water resources from where we abstract to meet customer demand.

Environment – rivers, groundwater levels (aquifers), wildlife and habitats

Agriculture – crop production, animal stocks and farming practices (irrigation)

General water supplies – to homes and businesses

Every five years we are committed to updating our statutory Drought Plan, which defines our response both in terms of how we prepare in advance, how we respond during an event and the measures deployed to support recovery post drought. Our current drought plan was published in 2022, and we are now in the process of developing our 2027 Drought plan. We anticipate submitting our draft plan to Defra in October and will be holding a public consultation on the plan during the Winter of 2025/26. We expect to publish our final 2027 Drought Plan in late 2026. 

Our target for 2024/25 is to have zero customers impacted by a 1-in-200 year drought.

How have we performed?

Our performance in the year was higher than target with 17.8 per cent of the population at risk of severe restrictions in a drought.

During 2024/25 we experienced a deficit against target headroom in two of our water resource zones around Haywards Heath and Cranbrook/Paddock Wood in the Dry Year Annual Average planning scenario but not in our critical period, the Average Day Peak Week planning scenario. 

The reason for the deficit around Haywards Heath was the reduced output from the bulk supply from Southern Water due to the long-term outage at Weir Wood Reservoir, the ongoing upgrade to Forest Row Water Treatment Works, the ongoing work to achieve the planned deployable output from Coggins Mill and the outturn distribution input for the water resources zones. We have reflected the maximum bulk supply available from Southern Water without Weir Wood Reservoir being in service as this was the actual situation in the report year. 

The reason for the deficit in the Cranbrook/Paddock Wood water resource zones is outturn Demand Input (DI) being above our WRMP19 forecast DI across the Kent region. There are a few different reasons for this, in particular household and non-household demand increasing above forecast and leakage being above forecast. 

Case Studies

Stakeholders at the scheme briefing

New £12 million pipeline to improve resilience

Customers listening to a water treatment works tour

Giving customers a sneak peak behind-the-scenes

woman and child watering plants in garden with watering can

Showcasing our 25 Year Environment Plan