Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleSouth East Water has introduced a hosepipe ban in several areas due to increased demand during the heatwave. The ban applies to residents in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire. The affected regions are currently under a “red alert” status, which South East Water says signifies “seriously low” water levels. The company said: “It’s not too late to prevent restrictions. Please pause your hose use while we do all we can reduce the amount we need to take from local groundwater sources.”It added: “Let’s work together to protect our environment – and help your water last all summer.”In fullUK heatwave latest: Rail firms warn against train travel as extreme heat prompts first hosepipe ban of summerThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in