Where are hosepipe bans in place across the UK?
ITV News Health and Science Correspondent Martin Stew reports on the latest hosepipe ban in place across the UK
Weather experts believe hosepipe bans are "almost inevitable" this summer for large parts of the UK after February was recorded as the driest in England for 30 years.
A new ban has been implemented across Kent and Sussex due to a record demand for drinking water.
Cornwall and large parts of Devon have also endured restrictions stretching back to last summer, with authorities hoping to "replenish" depleted water supplies.
So where are bans in place and what is the situation where you live?
South East Water
A hosepipe ban came into force across Kent and Sussex on June 26 due to a record demand for drinking water, South East Water bosses said.
Areas of the region have been left with little or no water amid the hot weather, forcing schools to shut and residents to hydrate themselves via bottled water stations.
A plea to use only essential water has stretched from Haywards Heath, in West Sussex, to Whitstable, in Kent.
South East Water chief executive David Hinton has claimed that people working from home was a "key factor" behind the ban, as it has "increased drinking water demand".
The firm said that despite providing an extra 120 million litres of water a day, demand in June has broken records, including from the Covid lockdown heatwave.
"This situation has developed much more rapidly than last year. Understandably, we've seen customer demand increase in line with the hotter weather, however this has impacted our ability to keep all customers in supply at all times," Mr Hinton said.
"Despite asking for customers' help to use water for essential uses only, regrettably we've now been left with no choice but to introduce this temporary use ban restriction to protect customers' supplies across Kent and Sussex."
Customers can check whether their household is affected by using the postcode checker here.
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South West Water
A hosepipe ban - initially introduced in August 2022 - covering Cornwall and parts of North Devon was extended by South West Water in April.
The areas affected include: Plymouth, Barnstaple, Tavistock and Torquay.
South West Water said that reservoir levels across the region are still not as full as they should be ahead of the summer because of lower-than-average rainfall in May and June.
Water levels at Colliford Reservoir, for example, dropped to around 15% in 2022, and are currently 2% higher compared with the same period.
An investment of £125 million is being made by South West Water in its water resources, and by 2025 the company wants to grow supplies by 45% in Cornwall and 30% in Devon.
South West Water's drought and resilience director David Harris, said: "The impact of climate change has been intensified by population growth and tourism, and as a result our reservoirs are still not where we need them to be.
"That's why we need customers, businesses and visitors in our beautiful region to continue to do their part and reduce their water use whenever possible. We are not asking customers to stop using water, we are asking that they use it responsibly."
Anglian Water
Anglia Water, which is the provider for more than four million people, is not currently implementing a hosepipe ban, but has not ruled it out as a possibility.
Due to parts of the region being in 'drought status' - after being classified by the Environment Agency - the firm is monitoring water levels closely to ensure there is enough water for customers over the summer, while leaving enough in the environment for nature to thrive.
The firm continues to urge customers to use water wisely.
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
Welsh Water, like most providers, enforced a ban on hosepipe use last year off the back of the driest summer in 46 years.
The ban, which was initially put in place on August 19, was lifted in October after affecting residents across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.
Thames Water
There is not currently a water ban in place for Thames Water customers after a summer suspension was lifted in November.
Although the temporary use ban is no longer in place, the firm has urged customers to continue using less water at home.
Northumbrian Water
Customers of Northumbria Water escaped the need to regulate their hosepipe use last summer after the firm chose not to introduce a ban.
The firm did however offer a few tips to help their customers cut back on water usage.
These include making sure you do not fill your paddling pool all the way to the top and reusing the water on your garden.
Severn Trent Water
Severn Trent also chose not to implement a hosepipe ban last year, but did urge customers to exercise caution around water use.
And while there still is not an imposed ban across the region, bosses at the firm have reminded its customers that it takes 12 hours to get water from the reservoir to the tap.
Consequently, it has asked people to reduce their water usage to help them meet demand.
Southern Water
Southern Water lifted its hosepipe ban on November 4.
The company was the first to introduce a ban last summer, with the restrictions affecting customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Yorkshire Water
Last summer the water provider introduced its first ban in 27 years, affecting some five million customers. The ban was lifted on December 6.
United Utilities
The North West provider has not currently got a ban in place and did not introduce one last summer.
United Utilities has however continued to ask customers to conserve water where possible.
Wessex Water
Wessex Water is not currently implementing a ban on hosepipe use. But it has asked customers to "reel in that hosepipe and use a watering can to save water this summer".
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