A hosepipe ban has been announced for householders from next month after autumn and winter rainfall was only two-thirds of the average.

Thames Water and Sutton and East Surrey Water, which covers Merton and its neighbouring boroughs, has banned the use of hosepipes from April 5 due to the “continuing drought”.

The majority of Merton's residents receive their mains or tap water from Thames Water, apart from a small corner of Morden that is supplied by Sutton and East Surrey Water.

Last spring was the driest since records began in 1910.

Mike Hegarty, Sutton and East Surrey Water’s operations director, said: “We very much regret having to impose this domestic hosepipe ban but we have no choice if we are to protect the best interests of all our customers by ensuring the long-term security of their water supply.

“Most people will be aware that Sutton and East Surrey Water – along with other water companies in the South East – has been warning for some time that restrictions may have to be introduced.”

Boreholes are at near record low levels and showing no signs of recovering according to the company, which last imposed a hosepipe ban in 2006, said spring last year was the driest since its records began in 1910.

Five other English water companies made similar announcements this week across south-east England, East Anglia and parts of the Midlands.

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