Householders have been asked to ration their water after last week's record heatwave caused shortages.

Southern Water has told customers in Thanet to drink as much as they need but asked them not to wash their cars or sprinkle their lawns.

This came on top of a warning two days ago that whole sections of the Canterbury, Dover and Thanet district had the threat of water discoloration due to problems at one reservoir.

In a Facebook message yesterday evening, Southern Water said: "Last week’s extreme weather has left water supplies far lower than normal in Thanet so we’re asking our customers to help us by only using essential water this weekend.

"Please stay hydrated but don’t wash your cars or water lawns. Many thanks for your help protecting precious water supplies."

On Friday, the firm had warned that due to "technical issues" at its Aylesham reservoir, customers were likely to experience discoloration to their supply and low pressure or no water.

It said this followed Wednesday's and Thursday's extremely hot weather.

But the company said it had immediately launched its emergency plans to return to normal service.

It warned the postal areas affected were CT3, CT4, CT7, CT11, CT12, CT13 and CT15.

In Thanet and Canterbury districts these were Wingham, Chartham, Bridge, the Birchington area, Ramsgate, Minster, Cliffsend, Monkton and Manston.

In the Dover district they were Sandwich, Eastry, Woodnesborough, Great Stonar, Richborough, Alkham, Lydden, Eythorne, St Margaret's-at-Cliffe, and Elvington.

By Friday afternoon Southern Water said it had begun delivering bottled water to vulnerable customers.

As supplies began to return to normal that afternoon the company advised people to clear any discoloured water by running the taps and not to drink it.

Repairs to the Aylesham reservoir were completed later that afternoon with supplies returned to customers.

But Southern Water said it would take several days for the reservoir to return to normal level so customer were asked not to wash cars or water lawns.

The heatwave had led to the hottest July day on record on Wednesday with peaks of 36C.

It ended with a storm on Thursday night.

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