 There have been bans on sprinklers and unattended hosepipes |
Another warning has been made that the South East of England still needs many more months of rainfall before the current drought situation is reversed. The Environment Agency said prolonged wet weather, combined with people not wasting water, was the only way to avoid more restrictions in 2006.
The region has experienced the driest November to September period for more than 25 years.
Reservoirs at Weir Wood, Bewl Water and Ardingly are all below usual levels.
October and November have so far seen more rainfall than the same period in 2004, but not enough to ease the drought.
The extent of the problem could lead to "one of the biggest tests for water companies and the Environment Agency in decades".
The agency said another winter with low rainfall levels could cause a "serious drought, widespread environmental damage and restrictions on water use".
David Howarth, regional drought manager for Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: "To leave us in the best possible situation for next year it is essential that everyone in the region does their bit to minimise water use."
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