COUNCIL IS WATER WISE

A council spokesman said:

'The council is working closely with the water companies and the Environment Agency to ensure that we conserve water in council buildings, parks, gardens and nature reserves as well as making special provision for elderly and vulnerable residents.

'Lewes District Council is already putting together a "Drought Contingency Plan" that sets out how we:

'Care for vulnerable people in our sheltered housing schemes

Maintain our parks, gardens and nature reserves '“ this work has already begun using recycled rainwater that has been collected in underground storage tanks

'Fit water saving devices in all council offices and public toilets and we are achieving an annual saving of more than 6,000 cubic litres of water

'Support the public information messages being put out by the Environment Agency and the water companies

'Since April 2006 our sustainability team have distributed 700 Save-a-Flush bags donated by Southern Water to domestic users.

'Over a year the average amount of water saved by these bags could be over 19 million litres '“ enough to fill the swimming pool at Lewes 60 times.'

Councillor Julie Carr, Lead Member for the Environment at Lewes District Council, added: 'Lewes District Council is committed to using water wisely and is already saving water in many areas of its operations.

'Staff and councillors are also encouraged to make an online pledge to save water at www.beatthedrought.com

'It is important that the good work to save water whenever possible continues over the autumn, winter and longer term to help restore groundwater sources and we are continuing to work in partnership with the water companies and the Environment Agency.'