WATER bosses have been granted permission to introduce further restrictions on water usage as the county heads for its worst drought in 100 years.

Car washes and the watering of public parks are among the extra restrictions which could be brought in under the drought order granted to both Mid Kent Water and Southern Water on Thursday by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Both companies, which combined serve more than 1.2 million people, say they will not be implementing the orders immediately thanks to the recent wet weather, but that is likely to change if and when demand increases again.

Mid Kent Water asset director Paul Seeley said: "Customers can be assured that we are doing all we can to protect supplies."

The restrictions which the order will allow include filling privately owned swimming pools – although public ones are exempt – operating mechanical car washes, although exemption can also be granted if the water is recycled.

Operating ornamental fountains or cascades would be restricted, unless the water is recycled, while hosepipe and sprinklers are restricted on parks, allotments, lawns, verges and landscaped areas.

Filling ornamental ponds other than fish ponds and wildlife garden ponds would also be restricted along with watering artificial sport pitches; cleaning the exterior of buildings except windows; cleaning windows from the mains water supply and automatic cistern flushing.

Hosepipe and sprinkler restrictions remain in place.