Low water supplies were blamed on several months of dry weather

Both firms are seeking emergency drought measures. Southern Water wants extra river water while Folkestone and Dover has called for compulsory meters.

On Wednesday it emerged 20,000 people may get meters if the scheme is approved. A government decision is expected in the next few months.

Southern Water said meters could cut customers' bills by 10%.

The Consumer Council For Water said it would mean higher bills but more water available.

Richard Sturt, a spokesman for the industry watchdog, said metering was good for customers because it protected supplies, which he said was "fundamental".

I've got a large family and obviously I would be concerned Caroline Grimes, customer

Water firms have estimated that metering can reduce water consumption by 5%.

But one Folkestone customer, mother-of-six Caroline Grimes said she feared her water bills would double.

She said: "I would rather they weren't imposed.

"I think it's a little bit of a liberty - I've got a large family and obviously I would be concerned that our water bills would go up quite considerably."

Figures obtained by BBC South East Today say the national average water consumption is 150 litres per person per day. In Folkestone and Dover the average is 167.