Southern Water has confirmed that they are to lift the hosepipe ban in Sussex after weeks of heavy rain.
However, don't get your hopes up that you can begin to use hosepipes again straight away. It depends on who supplies your domestic water services.In the Lewes area for instance, South East Water supply domestic water services and Southern Water supply waste water. This means the ban still applies as South East Water has yet to lift its restrictions.
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Southern Water have lifted the hosepipe ban in Sussex
The ban was put in place early in April following an extremely dry winter but after heavy rain in both May and June so far, the water company has confirmed that the restrictions are to be lifted.
However, Southern Water supplies many homes with waste water services not domestic water services. Waste water services do not relate too many of the activities restricted.
Southern Water is more reliant on rivers and reservoirs for their water. These have filled up with the recent rain.
South East Water relies on underground supplies that have yet to be replenished.
A spokesman for Southern Water said: "Southern Water is lifting water restrictions in its Sussex and Kent water supply areas.
"The temporary use ban that was brought in on April 5 following two exceptionally dry years will end on Thursday 14 June. Anglian Water and Thames Water will lift their restrictions at the same time."
Southern Water's ban will be lifted from midnight on Wednesday.
The heavy rain in May lifted reservoir water levels to close to the normal levels seen for this time of year and the extra rain in recent days – parts of Sussex received the normal amount for June in just 24 hours – has allowed the water restrictions to be lifted.
Heavy rain in the last few days has caused flooding in Sussex and chaos on the roads with many roads being shut as drains have been overflowing and rivers swollen.
Parts of Littlehampton and Bognor in West Sussex were badly affected and Worthing Hospital's basement was flooded. Fire crews in West Sussex dealt with more than 650 emergency calls in 18 hours, the same amount they normally deal with in one month.
The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings and 21 flood alerts, including 16 in the South East.
Source: www.thisissussex.co.uk
Watford turn down Reading FC offer for Mariappa - Reading Evening Post
Watford turn down Reading FC offer for Mariappa
By Lewis RuddJune 13, 2012
Reading have had a bid for Watford defender Adrian Mariappa turned down by Championship club Watford.
It is understood the Royals tabled a bid in the region of £2 million plus future add-ons for the much sought after defender, who rejected a deadline day move to Wigan Athletic in January and was also the subject of a failed bid from Premier League rivals Newcastle United.
Watford are believed to be holding out for a fee in the region of £3 million for Mariappa, who won the first of his three Jamaica caps earlier this year.
However, the 25-year-old, who will know Reading assistant manager Nigel Gibbs from his time at Vicarage Road, only has 12 months left on his contract, and an offer in the region of £2.5 million could be enough to lure the club’s player of the season away from Hertfordshire.
Fellow Premier League new boys Southampton are also said to be in the chase for the signature of Mariappa, who is understood to be keen on testing himself at a higher level.
The refused bid comes in the wake of Reading having a similar offer for Nottingham Forest full-back Chris Gunter thrown out by the side they beat 1-0 to secure promotion back to the Premier League in April.
Brian McDermott’s interest in the Welsh international is said to have cooled after having their enquiry rebuffed.
The City Ground outfit are only prepared to listen to offers in the region of £3 million.
Source: www.getreading.co.uk
Drought: Three water firms are to lift hosepipe bans - BBC News
Thames Water said one person got a second warning over hosepipe use but no-one was prosecuted
Three water companies are to lift their hosepipe bans after further heavy rain.
Seven firms put restrictions on water use in April to combat drought in southern and eastern England after two unusually dry winters.
But the restrictions were followed by record rainfall across England that month and more rain in May and June.
Anglian Water, Southern Water and Thames Water have confirmed that they are to remove the restrictions from midnight on Wednesday.
Last week, the Environment Agency said wet weather had significantly improved river levels and reservoir stocks and reduced the risk of drought and widespread water restrictions this summer.
South East Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Veolia Water Central and Veolia Water Southeast have confirmed their hosepipe bans remain in place.
Richard Aylard, sustainability director for Thames Water, which has 8.8m customers in London and the Thames Valley, said: "We don't need a ban, but we do need to ask everyone to keep on using water wisely."
Paul Valleley, Anglian Water's director of water services, which supplies customers in the east of England and Hartlepool, said three months-worth of winter rain in April had "made all the difference".
Southern Water's water quality and strategy manager Meyrick Gough said it was "right" to lift the restrictions.
Rain and floodingThe four companies where restrictions remain in place said groundwater levels were still too low to lift the ban. They said they would continue to monitor the situation and keep the restrictions under review.
Heavy rain since the weekend has caused flooding in Wales and some parts of southern England.
The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings and 20 flood alerts, including 15 in the South East.
As yet, there are no severe flood warnings - the highest alert, meaning there is a danger to life.
The Met Office issued a severe weather warning for Wednesday for south-west England, parts of the West Midlands and Wales. The warning is at a "yellow" level which means "be aware".
BBC Weather forecaster Laura Gilchrist said the "warning zones" could see localised flooding.
She said parts of England, including the South East, were now seeing brighter weather but more wet weather is expected across many parts on Thursday.
Continue reading the main storyOn Saturday, about 1,000 people were moved to safety from flooding in mid-Wales, with an estimated 150 rescued.
Environment Agency Wales said river levels were not expected to rise much further, but also warned that "heavy showers could lead to localised flooding of roads from blocked drains or small streams".
David Cameron was asked to urge insurance companies to act with "renewed speed" to help flood-hit communities in Wales, at Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons on Wednesday.
Mr Cameron responded he would work towards making sure homeowners got swift action.
Rain and surface water flooding on Tuesday caused more disruption around the country. More than 20 people were rescued from flooded caravans at two holiday parks in West Sussex and the village of Elmer was evacuated.
Fire crews across West Sussex dealt with more than 650 emergency calls in 18 hours - the same number they usually receive in a month
The adverse weather has also affected roads in various parts of the country and the BBC's Travel Unit has full details of delays and incidents on its website.
The Environment Agency has urged people to remain vigilant and to check its website for the latest information.
It "strongly" advised the public to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood waters.
12 months of droughtSend your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Watford duo keep clean sheet in Jamaica draw (From This Is Local London) - This is london Calling
Watford duo Adrian Mariappa and Nyron Nosworthy part of Jamaica side which drew 0-0 with Antigua and Barbuda
10:22am Wednesday 13th June 2012 in Latest Sport 
Watford defenders Adrian Mariappa and Nyron Nosworthy helped Jamaica keep a clean sheet during last night's 0-0 draw with Antigua and Barbuda.
The Hornets duo again played the full 90 minutes in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying semi-final round match, following Friday's 2-1 victory over Guatemala.
Former Hornets trainee and Wycombe Wanderers defender Marvin McCoy and Reading midfielder Mikele Leigertword were among those who started for Antigua.
Jamaica are currently level on points with the USA at the top of their qualifying group after two games and face the Stars and Stripes in their next game in Columbus on September 7.
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Source: www.thisislocallondon.co.uk
Opportunist thieves strike in Watford (From Watford Observer) - Watford Observer
Opportunist thieves strike in Watford
11:42am Wednesday 13th June 2012 in News By Mike Wright, Chief Reporter
Plain-clothed police officers are being drafted into Watford town centre to combat a recent spate of wallet and mobile phone thefts. Residents have been warned to keep a closer eye on their possessions following a number of opportunistic thefts of items left on display or in unsecured bags.
Police said elderly people who have made large cash withdrawals in the town have also been targeted by pickpockets.
Watford Neighbourhood Inspector Deirdre Dent said: "Keep your personal belongings secure at all times.
"Many of the offences recently have been opportunistic where people have left their belongings on show, such as in open bags or even leaving wallets or mobile phones on coffee tables.
"We are asking people just to take some extra precautions to ensure their belongings are out of sight. If you do find a phone or wallet left lying around, you should hand it in straight away and not put it in your pocket as you could be committing a criminal offence.”
She continued: "I’d ask people to think twice about drawing out large sums of cash and to be more aware of who is around you and limiting the opportunity for someone to take your property. We want to help reduce the number of victims and need the public to look out for vulnerable people."
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Source: www.watfordobserver.co.uk
Dementia diagnosis rates to rise in West Sussex - Chichester Observer
DRAMATIC increases in the diagnosis rate for West Sussex people suffering from dementia were predicted at a County Hall meeting on Thursday.
The West Sussex joint commissioning board was told there was now a commitment from NHS Sussex to provide the cash for establishing a memory assessment service from August, 2012 - £2.3m a year.
Tom Insley, principal manager, mental health and substance misuse, said he was really pleased with this development.
The impact of the service on the dementia diagnosis rate in West Sussex would be to increase it from 32 per cent in 2011 to 60 per cent by March, 2015.
A report presented at the meeting said the service would be publicised widely, and in a way that specifically included younger people developing dementia, people with a learning disability, and under-represented groups such as people from minority ethnic groups.
The roll-out of the service would be synchronised with co-ordinated GP training and awareness of how to access the service.
But there was a warning from one member that people should not assume an early diagnosis automatically meant the condition could be cured.
Responding, Dr Mike Sadler, the county council’s executive director of health and social care, told the board: “With many conditions, like cancer, early diagnosis means a cure - that isn’t the case here.”
To the best of his knowledge, there was no clearly demonstrated evidence that dementia could be prevented for the majority of cases.
As far as the most common form was concerned, it was not believed there was any obvious prevention.
Board chairman Cllr Michael Brown said they were still suggesting that 40 per cent of people with dementia might still be undiagnosed in 2015.
“How long will it take for every adult suffering from this condition to be diagnosed in a timely fashion?” he asked.
Mr Insley said further investment would be needed to achieve a bigger increase. The highest diagnosis rate in the country was at present about 58 per cent.
The board was told that new services which had come on stream over the last two years included a dementia crisis service, a care home in-reach service, and enhanced mental health liaison services.
The investment had resulted in improvements including fewer people being admitted to dementia psychiatric in-patient beds, and stays in these beds shortening; a shorter average length of stay for people with dementia in acute hospitals; and an improvement in the quality of life for people in care homes.
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Print this pageSource: www.chichester.co.uk
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