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Water waste warning as supplies in Kent low after one of driest winters in years

Homeowners in Kent are being told to be mindful of how much water they use as a drought warning is becoming ever more likely.

Figures from the Met Office show the South East of England had just 77% of its normal rainfall last winter - making it the driest in 20 years.

It means some of the county's water reserves and reservoirs have stocks way below normal.

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New water infrastructure is planned for Kent
New water infrastructure is planned for Kent

And those like Bewl Water near Lamberhurst, which is less than 75% full, are needing to be topped up with underground sources, according to Southern Water.

Water companies say hosepipe bans are unlikely at this stage, but are monitoring the situation.

Head of environment at South East Water, Emma Goddard, said: "At this point in time we've just seen a drier than normal winter and our aquifers and surface water is in a good position at this time.

"With all of our resources we're monitoring them daily. We monitor them all the time we have drought curves and we work with the Environment Agency and continue to monitor it.

"We would ask our customers to try and use water wisely.

"There's lots of ways where we can all use less water.

"Just really simple things like turning off the tap when you're cleaning your teeth, making sure your washing machine and dishwasher is full before turning it on."

In order to save water people are being told to have a shower instead of a bath and turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.

They can also install a water butt in their garden to collect rain water and fit a water saving device in their toilet to use less when flushing.

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