The Environment Agency has called for a ban on hosepipes and sprinklers to be extended in a bid to tackle the water crisis.

Southern Water is being urged to use new powers given to it by the Government under a drought order.

The "non-essential use ban", granted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, would for the first time allow the company to limit commercial water use and the filling of ponds and privately-owned swimming pools.

Catherine Henwood, spokeswoman for the Environment Agency, said: "We would like Southern Water to impose the non-essential water usage order while there is still water to be saved.

"The signs are that August is going to be another hot, dry month. There could be more problems later in the summer.

"It would be up to the water companies to look at how much is used and where to bring in the restrictions."

The Environment Agency is a part-Government funded body that works to implement the Government's environmental policy.

The Met Office is predicting a hot month during August. National forecaster Dave Cox said: "We are expecting above-average temperatures for August and could see some hot days."

Southern Water has said it will implement the first phase of the drought order only when absolutely necessary. In May it said the spring had brought enough wet weather to ensure the restrictions were not needed for the time being.

Mick James, spokesman for Southern Water, said the company had no plans to alter its position.

Any changes would have to be advertised in the local press.

Mr James said: "We haven't as yet applied the non-essential use restrictions in Sussex and Kent but the situation is being monitored on a daily basis.

"We are delighted that our customers have responded so fantastically to the hosepipe ban and our water efficiency programme.

"It is because of this and because of the £20 million we have invested in more than 50 schemes to provide more water that we haven't had to implement the non-essential use order yet, though, as I say, the situation is being continuously monitored.

"We must all continue to be prudent in our use of water if we are to continue to postpone the introduction of the non-essential use orders."

South East Water supplies water in the area between Haywards Heath and Eastbourne. It currently operates a hosepipe ban but has not made any application for a drought order.

Spokeswoman Janet Kemp said: "Our water resources position at this time does not warrant such action and the hosepipe ban remains in force."

Sutton and East Surrey Water, which provides water in the Gatwick area, has a drought order. It has introduced sprinkler and hosepipe bans.

A spokeswoman for the company said there were no plans at present for any more restrictions to be brought in.

Ms Henwood said water usage decreased in May and June but increased in July as people attempted to keep cool. Some parents have been bathing their children in cool water, which has reduced consumption.

Keith Taylor, Green Party councillor for Brighton Pavilion, encouraged people to use water more efficiently.

He said: "In any shortage of any resource we have to prioritise usage. If it's that desperate, then desperate times call for desperate measures.

"We have known for months now about the drought and it's partly due to climate change."

Bans under the drought order include:

  • Using a hose or sprinkler to water public gardens, parks and allotments or, for more than two hours a week, sports grounds;
  • Filling private swimming pools, except where needed medically;
  • Using car washers that do not recycle water;
  • Using a hose or sprinkler to wash vehicles.