Britain's hosepipe ban could remain in place until October with no significant rainfall expected to arrive anytime soon.
Temperatures are rocketing once more with highs of 36C and an amber warning for extreme heat in parts of the UK.
The Met Office said there is “very little meaningful rain” on the horizon, with the mercury set to climb into the low to mid 30s in central and southern parts of England.
But readings will not be as severe as the record-breaking heat of July when they hit 41C, said forecasters.
Using hosepipes has already been banned by two water companies while others have warned they may need to follow suit.
It follows the driest eight months from November to June since 1976 and the most sun-baked July on record for parts of eastern and southern England.
Southern Water has introduced a ban in the Isle of Wight and Hampshire and is asking the Environment Agency for a special permit to allow it to take more water from the River Test, according to The Times.
"The permit would last six months or until flows have returned to above 500Ml per day for 21 consecutive days," a spokesperson said.
Over the summer, the River Test's flow has fallen from 2,500 megalitres (MI) per day in March to just 450MI at present.
The water company has warned that levels could fall even more this month to 365MI – the legal limit for drawing water.
Scientists have warned that droughts are becoming more likely due to climate change, driven by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, Met forecasters say there is little rain on the cards for this week, with only the North West likely to see any short-lived showers.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tony Wardle said: “With high pressure dominant this week, the influence of any showers will be contained to the far northwest, and even here will be short-lived in nature.
“Further south, which has seen little rain for some time now, dryness will continue through the week and provide no relief for parched land, especially in the southeast."
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a heat health alert for central and southern England from Tuesday to Saturday.
Experts advised people to look out for the vulnerable including children, the elderly and those with existing health conditions.
The latest heatwave follows months of low rain which has left rural areas, urban parks and gardens dry with some households being asked not to light fires or barbecues.
A 10C fall in temperatures and a higher chance of rain and thunderstorms is forecast next week from an Atlantic weather system but it is unlikely to bring enough water to replace supplies.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has urged people not to use barbecues, fireworks, sky lanterns or bonfires after flames from a chiminea went on to destroy gardens, trees and sheds.
Marks & Spencers has banned the sale of disposable barbecues across the UK this summer in efforts to lower the risk of wildfires in the dry conditions.
And the Country Land and Business Association, representing 28,000 farmers and landowners in England and Wales, has urged other retailers to follow suit.
