Car washes and swimming pools could face a water ban as the record-breaking drought worsens with no rain in sight and a sixth heatwave of the year this week.Some 27million people across England and Wales are already under a hosepipe ban as reservoir levels plunge amid an extraordinarily hot and dry spring and summer.Nine water companies have brought in restrictions which mean customers are legally banned from using hosepipes to water gardens or wash cars, patios or boats.Southern Water is among them, having imposed a ban in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on July 10 – but it could now go further by applying to the Government for a Drought Order and Non-Essential Use Ban (NEUB), which would affect businesses.A NEUB would prevent companies from washing cars and windows with hosepipes or other mechanical devices, or filling non-domestic swimming or paddling pools.The pool ban would cover facilities restricted to members of a private club, gym or association rather than general walk-in users. It would include pools at hotels, holiday parks or private health clubs if they do not meet open public access criteria.An NEUB would also force businesses to stop watering outdoor plants on commercial premises; fill or maintain a pond; clean any vehicle, boat, aircraft or train; clean industrial plants; suppress dust; or operate cisterns on unoccupied buildings.If Southern Water's application is granted, it would be the first NEUB since one was given to Sutton and East Surrey Water in 2006 – which was itself the first since 1995.