Hosepipe bans will remain in place until next year despite recent heavy rain, water companies have warned.
People in many parts of the UK have been asked not take baths and to avoid using excess water since the peak of this year's scorching summer, which saw temperatures reach 40C for the first time.
But despite the recent deluge brought on by Storm Claudio and plenty of wet weather spread throughout the autumn, bosses say there still isn't enough stored water to consider lifting the order yet.
Thames Water, the UK's largest water and wastewater company, said their reliance on natural water sources collected deep below the ground meant the measure needed to be retained.
This is because top soil was retaining all the recent rain, preventing it to soak through into the ground.
A message from Thames Water to their customers reportedly said: "We’ve had a hosepipe ban in place for over two months now – so surely the recent heavy rain means we can remove it?
"Unfortunately, that’s not the case just yet – and here’s why: To keep taps flowing, we rely on natural water sources that collect water deep below the surface.
"These sources refill when rain soaks down to them. But months of low rain mean the top soil is acting like a dry sponge, stopping moisture from reaching deep enough underground."
Yorkshire Water meanwhile revealed in a message to their customers last week that the autumn rain had raised reservoir levels to 40% —which they said while "great news" was still "not enough".
Levels at the same point in the year in 2021 were 72% by comparison, they said. Yorkshire Water’s director of water, Neil Dewis told the BBC in September that he expected hosepipe bans to remain until "well into" 2023.
Tips on saving water suggested in the company's latest email included turning the tap off when brushing your teeth, having a shower instead of a bath, and not overfilling a kettle when making a cup of tea or coffee.
