Bans on filling public swimming pools, maintaining ponds, washing cars and cleaning offices and shops could be put in place as England continues to run out of water, the Guardian reported.

Despite recent showery periods, the country, particularly in the south and east, has not received enough rain to refill depleted rivers and reservoirs.

Leaked documents from the National Drought Group, seen by the Guardian, say that non-essential use bans are being considered by some water companies.

The group is made up of government bodies, NGOs and water companies, and together they decide how to tackle drought conditions.

Hosepipe bans remain in place throughout much of the country, including in Yorkshire, London and large swathes of the south and south-east of England.

The next step, which could be put in place this month, would be to ban all non-essential use of water. This would include a bar on washing vehicles and non-domestic buildings, as well as bans on filling bodies of water including swimming pools and ponds. This is a relatively drastic measure that has not been put in place during recent droughts. In 1976, after 16 months of low rainfall, the government told households to cut their water supply by half.

The document reveals that companies looking to apply for further drought orders in September include South West Water, Southern Water, Yorkshire Water, South East Water, Severn Trent water and Thames Water.

Such drastic measures might need to be put in place to protect public water supply, which could be at risk if dry conditions continue.

The leaked minutes reveal that experts do not expect there to be sufficient rain to mitigate the dry weather.

They say: “The [three-month] outlook shows a risk of dry conditions continuing in the south and east of the UK, with little sign of the rainfall needed to end current drought conditions.”

The full story in the Guardian can be read here.