Water suppliers in Burton and South Derbyshire have issued a warning to customers to limit their usage as dry weather continues.

However, officials from South Staffs Water and Severn Trent Water say that there are no immediate plans to implement a hosepipe ban in the wake of the heatwave.

This comes as millions of people are expected to be affected by the summer's first hosepipe ban in the North-West of England.

A temporary ban from water company United Utilities will be in place from Sunday, August 5 is hoped to help "safeguard essential supplies" with reservoir levels already low.

Warm temperatures are set to continue for the near future, with the Met Office weekly forecast predicting at least 24C temperatures in Burton every day this week at least.

A hosepipe ban is not planned to be implemented
A hosepipe ban is not planned to be implemented

South Staffs Water, which supplies water across parts of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and the West Midlands, insisted they have no current plans for a hosepipe ban.

Phil Newland, managing director at South Staffs Water, said: "With the prolonged dry weather, we continue to monitor our water supplies closely. Currently, our supply levels are coping with demand.

"However, temperatures are due to continue to rise throughout the week, including over the weekend. We are prioritising leakage and have allocated additional resources to fix leaks.

"We do not envisage any restrictions being placed on customers. As demand is still high, we would, however, request that customers do not waste water."

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Any customers of South Staffs Water experiencing issues should contact them on 0800 243 352.

Fellow water supplier, Severn Trent Water also currently does not have a plan for a hosepipe ban to be implemented. A spokesman said: "We have no current plans for a hosepipe ban."

But they have reminded customers to put their sprinkler systems away, as a sprinkler can "use as much as 1,000 litres of drinking water in just one hour."

People are advised to take showers rather than baths, as it uses roughly 40 litres less water. Paddling pools should be avoided and bucket and sponges used to clean cars rather than a hose.

What am I not allowed to do during a hosepipe ban?

A temporary hosepipe ban restricts people from using hosepipes or sprinklers to water private gardens or wash cars, according to the Mirror .

According to the Water Use (Temporary Bans) Order 2010, using a hose to clean a private boat, to fill a domestic swimming or paddling pool or pond, or to clean walls, windows, paths or patios of a domestic property is also banned.

Each local water company can decide whether certain activities are exempt.

Water suppliers advise for sprinklers to be turned off
Water suppliers advise for sprinklers to be turned off

People can still use a watering can to water their gardens, and can wash their cars using a bucket and sponge.

During a ban, people are also encouraged to think of ways to save water - for example by taking shorter showers or turning off taps while brushing their teeth.

What can hosepipes still be used for during a ban?

Exemptions to the ban can include using a hose for "health and safety reasons," such as removing or minimising any risk to human or animal health or safety, or preventing or controlling the spread of disease.

People can also still fill a home birthing pool, clean graffiti off public buildings or fill water troughs for animals.

What could happen if I break a ban?

Utility firms encourage people to report anyone they think has been breaking a hosepipe ban.

Anyone found guilty can be prosecuted in a criminal court and fined up to £1,000.

Weather forecast for the week ahead in Burton

Wednesday, July 18, sunny intervals, 24C;

Thursday, July 19, cloudy, 25C;

Friday, July 20, sunny intervals, 24C;

Saturday, July 21, sunny intervals, 24C;

Sunday, July 22, sunny intervals, 25C;

Monday, July 23, sunny intervals, 27C.