Sky News reported that the declaration of drought in the South West, the worst-hit region, was not a surprise. Further declarations in other parts of the country are likely to follow.
Restrictions on water use are scheduled in Kent and Sussex from Friday and in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire later in August, while a ban on the use of hosepipe is already in place in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
The news comes a day after Environment Secretary George Eustice met with chief executives of all water suppliers to make sure they were taking steps to manage water usage during what he called the driest summer in over 50 years. It is expected to be followed by a very dry fall.