The average water bill is lower for metered customers than unmetered

Managers have said the hot summer weather has caused an unprecedented winter drought, with water supplies dwindling to their lowest levels for decades.

Folkestone and Dover Water is now considering an application to the government for 'water scarce' status, which would allow the company to impose water meters on all the households it serves.

The suppliers hope forcing people to pay for the amount of water they use may encourage them to conserve resources.

Water conservation tips Take a shower instead of a bath Wash your car with a bucket instead of a hose Use your washing machine only when you have a full load Fit a water-saving device in your toilet cistern

A spokesman for South East Water said the average unmetered bill over a year was �126, compared to �108 for the average metered bill - meaning an annual �18 saving for the consumer.

Customers of seven companies covering the South East - including Southern Water, Thames Water, South East Water, Mid Kent Water and Folkestone and Dover Water - have been urged to use water sparingly.

The Environment Agency warned two weeks ago that Britain faced a winter drought unless there was significant rainfall.

Many reservoirs, including the Darwell Reservoir near Hastings, contain less than half the usual amount of water for the time of year.

The shortage follows the driest August and September since 1873, according to Met Office figures, with only 27 mm of rain - just 23% of the average of 119 mm.

Water suppliers fear the problem could be exacerbated if proposals to build thousands of new homes in the region over the next few years go ahead.

Average rainfall in Kent is 25% less than at the turn of the last century, while at the same time the county's population and each household's water use has increased.