Eerie photos show UK reservoirs at dramatically low levels as hosepipe bans are set to begin in areas across the country.
Pictures and video of Dovestone Reservoir in Saddleworth, posted by the Manchester Evening News, show a huge drop in water levels in the midst of a hot and dry summer - though water bosses say they are not considering any restrictions.
Meanwhile, over in the South East, a hosepipe and sprinkler ban is about to start as demand for water breaks all previous records.
South East Water tweeted: "Dry July & high demand for water means we have to restrict the use of hosepipes & sprinklers from Friday, August 12, in Kent & Sussex until further notice."
They explained in further statement: "This has been a time of extreme weather conditions across the UK. Official figures show this is the driest July on record since 1935 and the period between November 2021 and July 2022 has been the driest eight-month stint since 1976.
"During July in the South East, we have only seen eight per cent of average rainfall for the month, and the long term forecast for August and September is for similar weather.
"The demand for water this summer has broken all previous records, including the Covid lockdown heatwave.
"We have been producing an additional 120million litres of water a day to supply our customers, which is the equivalent of supplying a further four towns the size of Maidstone or Eastbourne, daily.
"We have been left with no choice but to restrict the use of hosepipes and sprinklers from 00:01 on Friday, August 12, within our Kent and Sussex supply area until further notice."
They said they are taking the step to ensure they have enough water for both essential use and to protect the environment.
The Dovestone Reservoir site forms part of the Pennine Sources reservoirs, which has seen a 3.8 per cent drop since last week, according to the latest figures published by United Utilities.
But United Utilities say they are not considering any restrictions such as hosepipe bans, which are in place in other parts of the country.
Other nearby areas are experiencing more normal levels of rainfall that can be drawn upon and supplies moved in the event of diminished water supply.
However, they are encouraging people to "use water wisely" in order to help conserve supplies and benefit the environment.
Water levels in the Pennine Sources are currently at 50.9 per cent - over 20 per cent below the average level for the year, which sits at 72.6 per cent.
Pennine Sources were at 57.6 per cent of capacity in the week ending July 10 - showing a near seven per cent drop in water levels in just under one month.
The last month has seen the hottest temperatures ever recorded across the country and in Greater Manchester, as parts of England reached a scorching 40C for the first time in history.
Other areas of the country are facing warnings over possible drought, and measures including hosepipe bans have been introduced in Kent and Sussex.
But United Utilities say normal rainfall in Cumbria means lower than expected water levels in the Pennine area can be evened out using their regional network of water resources and pipes.
Dovestone Reservoir lies east of Oldham and north east of Ashton-under-Lyne.
It supplies drinking water to the local area, and is a popular tourist and walking spot situated in the Peak District National Park.
It is surrounded by moorland, outcrops and a panoramic view of the southern Pennines.
A spokesperson for United Utilities said: “Some parts of the North West region have seen less rainfall than others, particularly the Pennine area.
"However, our major water sources in Cumbria have seen more normal levels of rainfall and we can use our regional network of water resources and water pipes to move supplies to where they are needed. We are not considering any restrictions on use.
“Whatever the weather, we always encourage people to use water wisely, which saves energy and money and is good for the environment.”
