Extra water restrictions have come into force in parts of Sussex.
Some exemptions from South East Water’s hosepipe ban were withdrawn from Friday in areas around Haywards Heath and Eastbourne.
The water company said watering new lawns at domestic premises, trees and hedges planted within the last three years and food crops at domestic premises and private allotments are no longer exempt.
A consultation into the company’s plans to apply for a drought order in parts of Sussex ended on Friday.
A drought order is a legal power to manage water supplies during a drought, which can allow water companies to restrict water use.
The government will make the final decision whether to grant the order.
The Environment Agency (EA) has changed the status of the areas around Haywards Heath to drought, with Ardingly Reservoir’s water level at 27.6% total capacity.
The reservoir serves 228,000 South East Water customers.
Eastbourne has been included in the drought area despite its water being supplied by Arlington Reservoir.
The hosepipe and sprinkler ban, which was imposed on the area in July, will remain in place until water supply is secured, the Environment Agency has said.
Others areas of the country entered drought status earlier this year, including Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, East Midlands, and the West Midlands.
The National Drought Group – which includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, the National Farmers’ Union, Canal & River Trust, anglers, and conservation experts – continues to monitor the situation and will next meet on 30 October.