Hosepipe bans will remain in place across the South East

The country's biggest provider, Thames Water, said ground water resources had not recovered enough to lift the current hosepipe ban.

"We need to see what the weather does in the autumn and winter before we can make a decision," said a spokesman.

Sutton and East Surrey Water said a considerable amount of rain would be needed before restrictions were lifted.

As well as a hosepipe ban, the company has a drought order in place which bans all non-essential use of water.

Reduced usage

The order is due to expire in November, but a spokesman said no decision had yet been made about what would happen after that date.

Southern Water was granted a drought order earlier this year but did not implement it.

Thames applied for a drought order in June but withdrew its request after customers reduced their water usage over the summer.

Water companies South East, Three Valleys, Folkestone and Dover, Mid Kent and Southern said their hosepipe bans would remain in force, although they were subject to review.

August saw the second wettest week of 2006 in England and Wales, but the Environment Agency said it would not signal the end of the drought, which has gripped the South East since November 2004.

There has so far been below average rainfall in south east and central southern England during September.