Parched areas of England are facing a hosepipe ban amid very dry conditions and ahead of another predicted heatwave.
Southern water announced the move from Friday for customers in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, while the measure will follow in exactly a week for South East water customers in Kent and Sussex.
Months of little rainfall, combined with record-breaking temperatures in July, have left rivers at exceptionally low levels, depleted reservoirs and dried out soils.
The Met Office has warned there is "very little meaningful rain" on the horizon for arid parts of England as temperatures are set to climb into the 30s next week.
While it could mean another heatwave - when there is above average temperatures for three-days or move it is likely conditions will be well below the 40c seen in some places last month.
The situation has prompted calls for action to reduce water consumption, which would help protect the environment and vital supplies. Requests have also been made to restore the country's lost wetlands "on a enormous scale" to tackle a future of drier summers and droughts.
Southern Water said it is asking customers "to limit... use to reduce the risk of further restrict the risk of further restrictions and disruption to water supplies, but more importantly to protect our local rivers."
Meanwhile, South East water said it had been "left with no choice but to restrict the use of hosepipes and sprinklers" from midnight on August 12, within Kent and Sussex, "until further notice."
The firm added that it was taking the step "to ensure we have enough water for both essential use but also to protect the environment" and to enable a reduction in the amount of water "we need to take from already stressed local water sources".
So what are the rules for those currently affected?
Households are not allowed to use a hosepipe, garden sprinklers and irrigation systems connected to the mains, for any of the following uses:
Watering a garden using a hosepipe
Cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe
Watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe
Cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe
Filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool
Drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use
Filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe
Filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain
Cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe;
Cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe
Cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe
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This article has been written for educational purposes, the information for the article has been taken from ITV News
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