Environment Secretary George Eustice has "strongly" urged water firms to introduce more hosepipe bans as temperatures are set to skyrocket this week.
It marks the first time a minister has intervened over drought fears, as August has been "unusually dry".
Southern Water has already imposed a hosepipe ban for Brits in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, South East Water will follow suit this Friday, with a ban in force for those in Kent and Sussex.
Forecasters predict warm weather will continue for most of the UK this week, when conditions will stay dry and settled with little rain or wind.
George Eustice said some firms have already “rightly” taken action to mitigate the effects of the prolonged dry weather as he encouraged others to follow suit.
Mr Eustice wrote in The Sunday Telegraph: “In accordance with their drought plans, water companies across the country have rightly taken action to mitigate the effects of this prolonged dry weather using the range of tools available to them.
“I strongly urge others to do the same”.
Highs of 27C and 28C are expected to hit parts of south and south-east England on Sunday, with sunny spells forecast throughout the day for most of the country.
The dry conditions look set to clash with hosepipe bans already imposed or due to be announced – with more firms likely to follow suit after the Environment Secretary’s intervention.
Last week Tory leadership hope Rishi Sunak said he would look at introducing compensation if a hosepipe ban is a direct consequence of water companies’ failures.
The former chancellor told The Daily Telegraph: “It is unacceptable for water companies to impose restrictions on their customers when they fail to stem leaks."
“We need tougher financial penalties on the companies that are not investing enough to stop water being wasted.”
Brits could face fines of up to £1,000 if they were to break hosepipe bans.
Decisions on bans are made by individual water firms, each of which have their own plans if water shortages continue.
A Whitehall source told the Sunday Telegraph Mr Eustice wanted firms to implement their drought plans and “take whatever action necessary”.
It comes as the Met Office revealed July was the driest month for England since 1911.
