Full list of areas hit with hosepipe bans this summer – check if YOU'RE affected
Yorkshire Water brought in a ban on July 11 while South East Water is enforcing restrictions from Friday (July 18).
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Thames Water is set to bring in a ban for households in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and parts of Berkshire on July 22.
Sources said Southern Water, which supplies Kent, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and East and West Sussex, is also days away from a ban.
Anglian Water, Dwr Cymra, Northumbrian Water, South West Water, United Utilities Water and Wessex Water have all confirmed to The Sun they are not, currently, poised to impose any restrictions.
It comes as the Environment Agency (EA) declared drought in the West and East Midlands today.
Here is what Yorkshire Water, Thames Water and South East Water have said about their bans.
Yorkshire Water
The firm brought in restrictions from July 11 across the whole of Yorkshire following the driest spring on record in the area.
Households have been told to stop using hosepipes for the following things:
The firm has not said when the restrictions will end - only when its reservoir levels return to better levels.
You can find out more information via www.yorkshirewater.com/your-water/is-there-a-hosepipe-ban.
The hot weather has parched the land and drained reservoirs across the country as UK hit with hosepipe bans
Thames Water
Thames Water is introducing a ban from next Tuesday (July 22) following the warmest June on record.
The firm said the EA has put its coverage area into the prolonged dry weather category - an extended period of low rainfall that leaves water levels depleted.
Not all households supplied by Thames Water will be banned from using hosepipes though.
The affected postcodes are: OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8 and RG9.
Thames Water said the reason these areas have had a ban imposed is because the Farmoor Reservoir, which supplies them, has seen its water levels drop significantly.
The water firm hasn't said how long the ban will last and when it is lifted depends on weather conditions.
Customers will be told when the ban is lifted.
You can find out more via www.thameswater.co.uk/help/water-supply-and-drought-update.
South East Water
South East Water is imposing a ban on Friday (July 18) for households in Kent and Sussex.
The restrictions mean those affected cannot use hosepipes for watering gardens, washing cars, windows and patios, or filling swimming and paddling pools.
The water firm said demand for water had increased to the highest levels it had ever seen for this time of year, leaving its reservoir and underground water storage levels low.
The firm has not put a date on when the ban will end but said it will monitor the situation and lift any restrictions when water levels are back to sufficient levels.
You can find out more via www.southeastwater.co.uk/about/updates/tubs-25.
What can you do if you're affected?
You will likely still be able to water your plants or wash your car using a water can or bucket.
You can also use water that is not from the mains water, like grey water from baths and cooking pots or rainwater from a water butt through a hosepipe.
Another get around is that you will likely be able to water a newly laid lawn or plants for 28 days.
The rules for each firm might vary though so it's worth checking each of the three firms' websites to find out more.
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So far, Southern Water, Thames Water, South East Water and Yorkshire Water have announced hosepipe bans, but it's expected that more will be announced in the coming months. The first ban of the year was announced by Yorkshire Water, affecting York, Leeds, and Sheffield, as well as parts of northern Lincolnshire and Derbyshire. The Southern Water ban will affect those in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight and comes into effect on 21 July. Starting on 22 July, the Thames Water ban affects people in large areas of Swindon, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire. Beginning 18 July, the South East Water ban affects those in Kent and Sussex. It remains unlikely that there will be hosepipe bans in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Should I use a watering can during a hosepipe ban? If you're in an area with a hosepipe ban, a watering can filled from the kitchen tap is a water-efficient way to give your garden a drink. 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You don't have to spend your morning watering the plants before work; your plants can just drink from the pots whenever they need to. Janet adds that this also prevents over-watering. It 'keeps the root zone moist' instead of flooding it. Rather than drowning your plants under a sudden shower, plants can draw water from the soil by capillary action, just as they would take water from damp soil in the wild. Our tester found that this affordable Ikea pot is 'a great all-rounder for the price.' Fill up the easy-to-spot reservoir with water, and it will water your plants for you. Suitable for indoors and outdoors, it 'can fit snugly into pretty much any corner'. Should I use a water butt? Water butts are an easy and effective way to collect water, but without rainfall, they won't solve everything. Janet Manning explains that a water butt is a long-term solution rather than an instant fix. 'Right now, a water butt isn't going to be much use. 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