Hampshire and Isle of Wight hosepipe ban begins

A hosepipe ban for almost one million people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has begun.

Southern Water announced the restriction last week due to "prolonged dry weather" to ensure sufficient supply and protect of chalk streams.

It bans the use of a hosepipe for activities such as watering the garden, washing the car or filling a paddling pool.

Customers on the company's Priority Services Register with medical or mobility needs, Blue Badge holders and those on the WaterSure tariff, are excluded from the ban.

It follows bans from Yorkshire Water, Thames Water and South East Water.

Anyone flouting the restriction could be fined up to £1,000.

BBC South has been looking at what customers are allowed to do.

Southern Water is the latest company to announce a hosepipe ban, joining three others across the country

The restrictions will apply to 791,000 customers in 336,000 properties in Hampshire as well as 144,000 customers in 75,000 properties on the Isle of Wight.

Residents can still use water for drinking, cooking, showering and washing clothes, as well as watering with a watering can or a bucket.

Hosepipes can be used to clean animals and their areas, and provide them with water for drinking.

Southern Water said the restrictions would be in place until there was enough water in the reservoirs, rivers and underground aquifers to meet demand.

The company said the River Test and Itchen chalk streams, which supply most of the water in the area, were at "critically low levels" and down 24% on normal flows for this time of year.

Managing director Tim McMahon apologised to customers and said: "Only by working together can we make sure there's enough water to go around for customers and the environment."

More information on the restrictions can be found on Southern Water's website.

The company said it would advise its customers once the hosepipe ban was lifted.