Water reserves were used this summer to supplement supplies

Bewl Water on the Kent-Sussex border is 51% full and 25% more rain than normal is needed this winter to restore supplies for 2006, Southern Water said.

The company said schemes at three Kent sources have now been fast-tracked.

Work on the sources, planned to happen in several months' time, has now been brought forward to boost supplies for autumn and next year, the firm said.

At Bewl Water, large expanses of dried and cracked earth are said to be clearly visible.

Levels at Bewl water are at 51% and heavy winter rain is needed

Southern Water said there had been rain in July and August, but September had proved to be another dry month after the second driest winter since 1904.

The company used reserves from Bewl Water during the summer to supplement supplies across the South East and to take pressure off vulnerable rivers and underground sources.

Extra water is now to come from Kettle Hill, Chatham and Cuxton.

Pumps are having to be installed at Kettle Hill because of problems with ground conditions; at Chatham to resolve issues with nitrates in the water; and at Cuxton where the source went out of use after contamination at a building site which has now been cleaned up.

Southern Water is promising an extra 10m litres of water each day for customers in Kent.