Hosepipe bans are likely to remain in force for parts of the UK well into the autumn as reservoir levels fall to new lows.

Water companies said that despite a forecast of heavy rain on the horizon this week the Temporary Use Bans (TUB) are not going to be lifted any time soon.

Four water companies currently have TUBs in force: Thames Water, Southern Water, South East Water and Yorkshire Water.

Thames Water told The i Paper the National Drought Group has defined the current water situation in England as a “nationally significant incident.”

South East Water has revealed its reservoir levels are “continuing to fall” after a long, hot summer which has included four heatwaves.

The water firm, which has had a TUB in place since 18 July for parts of Kent, East and West Sussex affecting a

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