Under the ban, which was imposed by Southern Water from Friday, hoses cannot be used to water gardens and clean cars, and ornamental ponds and swimming pools must not be filled. The restriction is the first to take effect in the region since 2012. The officially named Temporary Use Ban also prohibits filling pools and cleaning walls, windows, paths and yards. South East Water also announced a ban for its customers in Kent and Sussex from August 12. Parts of England have seen their driest July on record dating back to 1836, following the driest eight-month period from November 2021 for the country since 1976. It also comes as the Met Office has warned there is “very little meaningful rain” on the horizon for parched parts of England as temperatures are set to climb into the 30s next week. Find out the weather forecast for your area Other companies have so far held off on restrictions despite the low water levels, although some say they may have to implement bans if the dry weather continues. Households not yet affected by restrictions are asked to avoid using hoses to water the garden or clean the car. Southern Water stressed there was no risk to the overall water supply, but the ban was necessary to protect the environment during one of the driest years on record, accompanied by record temperatures. “We have not taken this decision lightly and know that the temporary ban on use will have an impact on our customers,” said Dr Alison Hoyle, director of risk and compliance at Southern Water. “We are asking everyone in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to do what they can to support these measures and only use the water they need.” Read more: What uses the most water in our homes?Another heat wave is coming to parts of the UK next week Image: Large areas of Hyde Park in London have dried up “dangerous position” But water companies have been criticized by nature campaigners for leaving it to the “last possible moment” to impose restrictions, when rivers are in a “desperate” state, and for last-minute announcements that push up water demand ahead of the ban of pipes Passed In. Mark Lloyd, chief executive of The Rivers Trust, said: “Every year we reach this dangerous point and at the last possible moment, when the rivers are at their lowest point, we discuss temporary closures. “His last-minute announcement has people rushing to wash their cars and fill their swimming pools, wash the dog, and it’s causing a surge in demand before the ban comes in.” “This should happen before the rivers become desperate and there is not enough water for wildlife.”