Merlin the Magician
At the Start
A hosepipe ban is about to be imposed on eight million people.
Thames Water is enforcing restrictions across London and the South East.
It is the first time in 15 years the company's resorted to the measure.
It follows a prolonged period of below-average rainfall in the South East which has prompted the worst shortages in a century.
Restrictions have been in place for many parts of the region since last year, and the Environment Agency has warned that more drastic measures may be needed unless the situation improves.
Some areas of Kent and Sussex could even see standpipes introduced in the streets for the first time since 1976, or supplies cut at certain times of day.
Thames Water chief executive Jeremy Pelczer said he had not taken the decision to impose bans lightly.
"We are reluctant to restrict the amount of water our customers use, but the situation is serious," he said.
"The drought across the South East has now gone on for so long that we have to be prudent and introduce measures that will make best use of limited supplies and help protect the environment."
Andrew Marsh, of the Consumer Council for Water, said imposing hosepipe bans now to prevent more serious problems in the summer was a "sensible precaution".
"Consumers will support the ban, but the problem with Thames Water is that they have a pretty poor record with leakage," he said.
"There's a big perceptual problem there when down the road there may be a pipe leaking water
Thames Water is enforcing restrictions across London and the South East.
It is the first time in 15 years the company's resorted to the measure.
It follows a prolonged period of below-average rainfall in the South East which has prompted the worst shortages in a century.
Restrictions have been in place for many parts of the region since last year, and the Environment Agency has warned that more drastic measures may be needed unless the situation improves.
Some areas of Kent and Sussex could even see standpipes introduced in the streets for the first time since 1976, or supplies cut at certain times of day.
Thames Water chief executive Jeremy Pelczer said he had not taken the decision to impose bans lightly.
"We are reluctant to restrict the amount of water our customers use, but the situation is serious," he said.
"The drought across the South East has now gone on for so long that we have to be prudent and introduce measures that will make best use of limited supplies and help protect the environment."
Andrew Marsh, of the Consumer Council for Water, said imposing hosepipe bans now to prevent more serious problems in the summer was a "sensible precaution".
"Consumers will support the ban, but the problem with Thames Water is that they have a pretty poor record with leakage," he said.
"There's a big perceptual problem there when down the road there may be a pipe leaking water
just the thought of it, made one seek other types of drink??? 
