31 July 2010 Last updated at 06:30 ET

Hot summer stretches water supply in Essex and Suffolk

Water supplies provided by Essex and Suffolk Water are under pressure with water levels at their lowest for 20 years, the company said.

The firm has now asked its customers to think about the amount of water they use during the hot summer months.

The past four months have seen lower than average rainfall across much of Essex and Suffolk.

However, the water supplier said it did not expect to impose restrictions in its supply area.

The firm, which provides water to nearly two million people, said in some parts of Essex in June there was less than half the average monthly rainfall, while in Suffolk just 34% of the average monthly rainfall was recorded.

'Use water wisely'

On the hottest days over the past month demand for water in the area increased by 35%.

Martin Lunn, supply demand strategy manager for Essex and Suffolk Water, said: "We appreciate that during hot and dry conditions there is the biggest need for water and we don't want customers to deprive themselves of the water they need.

"Our customers are generally very supportive of the need to use water wisely.

"During the hot summer months it is particularly important we keep working in partnership with our customers to encourage wise use of water to reduce waste and protect supplies."