Essex & Suffolk Water is thanking customers as water demand in the region has reduced by seven per cent since the introduction of the Temporary Use Ban on 3 August.
While recent rainfall has been welcomed, the company is reminding customers that the region remains in drought, and that sustained water saving will play a vital role in protecting water resources for the months ahead.
The Environment Agency, who recently announced that almost three-quarters of England remains in drought, has warned that England would need around 120% of typical rainfall over the next seven months, through to April 2027, for all areas to officially move out of drought conditions.
Although September's rainfall has brought some relief, reservoir levels across Essex are still below average at only 46% full, so months of significant and sustained rainfall is needed before drought conditions can come to an end.
The Essex and Suffolk regions are expected to see periods of warm weather over the next week increasing challenges on water supplies and the environment.
The water company is encouraging customers to continue water-saving habits that will not only make a difference in the short term, but for the future too, with lower water demand and usage allowing water resources to recover and protect long-term supplies.
Kieran Ingram, Water Director, said: "We're incredibly grateful to our customers for the efforts they've already made to save water. The seven per cent reduction in demand we've seen since the Temporary Use Ban was introduced shows what can be achieved when we all work together.
"However, while recent rainfall has been welcome, we're not out of drought conditions yet. The reality is that every drop saved today will help protect water supplies for next year and beyond.
"The environmental impacts of drought don't disappear overnight. While many people will have seen the effects of the dry weather over the summer, the impact on wildlife, rivers and ecosystems can continue for years.
"That's why we're asking customers to keep thinking carefully about how they use water. Small actions, such as taking shorter showers, fixing dripping taps and only using the water you need, can make a real difference."
The company continues to encourage customers to make simple changes around the home and garden, including:
- Turning off the tap while brushing teeth
- Taking shorter showers
- Fixing leaky loos and dripping taps
- Only running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads, and using eco mode
- Reusing water where possible for plants and gardens (such as collecting water from washing fruit and veg)
Essex & Suffolk Water is continuing to take proactive action to protect water supplies and has introduced additional leakage-focused teams dedicated to finding and repairing leaks as quickly as possible, helping to minimise water loss from the network.
So far in 2026, teams have successfully repaired 5,749 leaks, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to reducing leakage and safeguarding supplies for customers. Alongside this, the water company is working closely with business customers and their retailers to help reduce water use across the non-household sector and improve overall water efficiency.
By continuing to save water now, customers can help protect local water resources, support the environment and build resilience for future dry periods.
For more water-saving advice, visit Water saving tips