Hosepipe bans are to be introduced across Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight after England experienced its driest July since 1935.
Under these bans, people will not be allowed to use hosepipes on lawns or plants, to clean cars or fill paddling pools.
But what’s the picture across the rest of the UK? We spoke to the country’s water companies:
Thames Water said its reservoirs were below their normal levels and “if we do not receive around or above average rainfall in the coming months this will increase pressure on our resources and may indeed result in the need for more water-saving measures including restrictions”
South West Water said “if the exceptional levels of demand and sustained dry weather continues, we may have to make the difficult decision to introduce formal restrictions over the coming weeks”
Yorkshire Water said reservoir levels were at 51% despite recent rainfall and hosepipe bans could be implemented later in the summer if necessary
SES Water said it was keeping the need for restrictions under close review but working to “minimise the need for any restrictions in the coming weeks and months”
Affinity Water said it shouldn’t need to introduce any restrictions, but added that was dependent on rainfall in the coming months
Anglian Water said it continued to monitor water levels but had no plans for any restrictions
Wessex Water said it was not facing any supply issues but “always encouraged our customers to use water responsibly”
Portsmouth Water said it was “not considering applying for a hosepipe ban at this point in time” but was monitoring the situation “on a daily basis”
Severn Trent Water said its region had experienced a dry start to the year but had not seen a hosepipe ban since 1995, and it continued to monitor reservoir levels closely
Northumbrian Water said its reservoirs were below normal levels but it was “not anticipating the need for any restrictions this summer”
South Staffordshire Water said it continued to “monitor our water resources and encourage our customers to use water wisely” but had no plans for a hosepipe ban
Bristol Water said it did not anticipate the need for any hosepipe ban this year and was continuing to monitor the situation
United Utilities Water said it was not considering any ban
Dwr Cymru said levels across most of Wales were “reasonably good” but there was concern about Pembrokeshire, where rainfall has been much lower than elsewhere, and it was “monitoring the situation very closely”
Hafren Dyfrdwy said it did not anticipate a need for any ban but was continuing to monitor the situation
Northern Ireland Water said it was “currently content” with water levels but if they reduced significantly it “would have to consider the possibility of a hosepipe ban”
Scotland Water said levels across Scotland were normal for this time of year and there were no plans for any restrictions
The hosepipe restrictions from Southern Water in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will come into force on Friday. In Kent and Sussex about one million South East Water customers will face measures from 12 August.
At an emergency meeting, the National Drought Group moved England into “prolonged dry weather” status – the stage before a drought.
Is the UK heading for a drought?
Driest first half of year in England since 1976
England’s driest July since 1935 – Met Office