Millions of people face restrictions on their water usage as water companies South East Water has issued a hosepipe ban.
The water company has taken the decision following record levels of demand. Households, businesses and schools in Kent and Sussex will be affected by the ban.
Another company - South West Water - has extended an existing ban in Cornwall and a small area of North Devon to cover the Roadford reservoir supply area, including Plymouth and Torquay. This will remain in place until December 1.
South East Water said it has been left with "no choice" but to restrict the use of hosepipes. The restrictions are due to come in from June 26.
The firm had, earlier this week, warned households to use water sparingly as temperatures approached 30C in the region.
But now the company says its facilities are currently working at full output, with every water treatment work and water source available to the company producing treated water to keep up with demand.
It comes as a heatwave which has seen temperatures reach 30C in most places is set to continue, forecasters believe.
David Hinton, chief executive officer, South East Water, said: “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.
"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."
The energy firm is unable to return drinking water storage tanks to satisfactory levels to ensure that it is able to consistently provide clean safe drinking water for its 2.3million customers, who live in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire.
Mr Hinton added: "The long-term forecast for the rest of the summer is for a dry period with little rainfall, although temperatures may reduce slightly.
"Restricting the use of hosepipes and sprinklers to make sure we have enough water for our customers’ essential use, will ensure we can serve our vulnerable customers and to protect the local environment.
"The temporary restrictions, will be enforced from 26 June. This will mean that customers will be prevented from using hosepipes for watering their gardens, washing cars, patios and boats and from filling swimming and paddling pools."
"We are very aware that climate change and other factors are increasing the frequency of these events and we are submitting proposals to our regulator, Ofwat to solve these issues.
“I would like to thank everyone who has already taken steps to try and reduce their overall water use but despite this, demand still remains very high which is why we have taken this decision to bring in temporary use restrictions."
A South West Water spokesperson said it is asking customers, businesses and visitors to the region for their continued support in using water wisely as we head into summer.
They continued: "With climate change bringing more prolonged hot and dry weather conditions, as seen last month and so far this month with lower than average rainfall across the South West, reservoir levels across the region have been unable to fully recharge ahead of the peak summer demand.
"Colliford Reservoir, which dropped to around 15 per cent last year, is currently around two per cent higher than this time last year, while Roadford Reservoir currently has nearly 16 per cent less water than the same time in 2022."
You are exempt from the ban to clean your motor vehicle with a hosepipe if it is a public service vehicle (as defined in section 1 of the Public Passenger vehicles Act 1981), a goods vehicles (as defined in section 192 of the Road Traffic Act 1988) or you're a Blue Badge holder.
