Amid increasing drought across the country, exacerbated by extreme heat, the demand for water has increased and river levels have plummeted.
The National Drought Group met on Tuesday to discuss measures to tackle the problem and how best to protect water resources.
Forecaster Nick Finnis has since warned that “widespread garden hose bans” could be introduced for households as early as next month, as more extremely hot weather is on the way.
Independent forecaster Netweather warned: “After continued dry weather, water levels will become critically low in the center, south and east of the UK. With little rain on the horizon in these areas, #drought22 restrictions such as the ban on garden hoses, come into effect next month.”
Southern Water, which supplies water to people in Hampshire, West Sussex, Kent and the Isle of Wight, has urged customers to reduce water consumption where possible.
Company officials have applied for a drought permit from the Environment Agency.
If the permit is granted, residents could soon be banned from using garden hoses, with fines of up to £1,000 being imposed on those caught breaking the law.
Harvey Bradshaw, executive director of the Environment Agency, said “we can all do our part by reducing unnecessary water consumption”, while rivers are “exceptionally low”.
Water UK has also urged Britons to “carefully consider” their water use following an “unprecedented” recent demand.
In addition to garden hoses, experts have also advised the public to take shorter showers, avoid watering the lawn and use water from paddling pools to wash their cars.
Restrictions may also be introduced for farmers irrigating their crops.
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With water levels in rivers, reservoirs and aquifers becoming critically low, farmers could stop watering their crops during the critical period from late summer to early fall.
Long-range maps have predicted the UK will experience another heat wave in August, with scorching 32C temperatures expected to hit the country.
In some parts of England, the temperature will rise to 35 degrees on July 31.
Meanwhile, on August 1, temperatures are expected to reach 32C in London, 29C in the Midlands and 23C in the north.