The UK towns at risk of running out of water within six weeks

Areas including Southampton and Norwich risk running out of water if further restrictions are not brought in, water companies are warning.

Around 165,000 people in Hampshire could face restrictions to their water supply within six weeks under a worst case scenario set out by Southern Water.

Southern Water applied to the Government to allow it to take more water from the River Test and restrict some businesses’ water use in order to avoid running dry.

Meanwhile, Anglian Water has told customers in Norwich to only consume water for essential use due to worrying low river levels.

The firm hasn’t yet asked the Government to allow it to introduce further restrictions, but it remains an option if the situation deteriorates.