Hosepipe bans across the south to continue

Thames Water and Southern Water have both had hosepipe bans in place since July

Hosepipe bans across some areas of southern England are set to remain in place despite a wetter than average September.

The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) said river levels were expected to remain low for the next three months.

Thames Water said water resources still needed time to recover after the hottest summer on record and the ban therefore had to "remain in place".

Southern Water said it anticipated lifting its ban, covering Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, "in the near future".

Steve Turner, a hydrologist at the UKCEH, said forecasts predicted lower-than-average rainfall over the next few months.

"If we do get lots of rainfall in the next few months, that will help," he said.

"But I imagine Thames Water and other companies are erring on the side of caution."

The Thames Water ban is in place across in postcodes beginning with OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8 and RG9.

Nevil Muncaster, strategic water resources director at Thames Water, said it needed at least 70% of its area's average rainfall between now and spring to maintain reservoir levels.

"London's reservoir levels have seen a faster decline in recent weeks and water levels needed to be protected ahead of next summer," he added.

Southern Water said its hosepipe ban would continue despite "encouraging signs of recovery in our local rivers".

"We are monitoring the ban very closely and anticipate lifting it in the near future," it said.

The ban prohibits the use of a hosepipe for activities such as watering the garden, washing the car or filling a paddling pool. People found to be using a hosepipe during a ban can be fined up to £1,000.

It does not affect businesses where hosepipe use is part of their purpose - for example, garden centres and car washes.

Thames Water said five million litres of water had been saved each day since the hosepipe ban begun.