Bewl Water is 10% emptier than the previous November low

Water companies have warned hosepipe bans imposed this summer will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Weir Wood near East Grinstead, West Sussex, is only 32% full, compared with the 70% average for November.

Bewl Water, on the East Sussex/Kent border is 40% full compared with a November average of 68%.

The situation is unlikely to improve this winter Mid Kent Water

Weir Wood has never been so low at this time of the year since it was built in 1953.

The only time Bewl was lower was after the great storm of 1987, when repairs had to be made to the dam wall.

Hosepipe bans were introduced across the region following nine months of below-average rainfall last winter.

Mid Kent Water and Southern Water both say the bans cannot yet be lifted.

"The situation is unlikely to improve this winter following weather forecasts predicting a drier than average winter across the UK," said a Mid Kent spokesman.

"Our main priority remains the provision of clean, safe water for essential domestic purposes such as drinking, washing and cooking."

Bewl reservoir looked like this when it was full in February 2003

Although rainfall was above average for October, the Environment Agency said heavy rain would be needed until at least March for levels to return to normal.

"We need people to think about how to use water wisely wherever they can," said Robert Beasley, from the agency.

"We need about 50% above average rainfall to get back to levels that we need."

In the longer term, South East Water is to carry out a feasibility study for a new reservoir at Clay Hill, near Barcombe in East Sussex.

If built the reservoir would supply water to customers across Sussex from 2015.

The need for new water sources is set out in the South East England Regional Assembly's draft South East Plan, due to be submitted to the government next spring.

The plan calls for 500,000 new homes to be built in the region by 2026.