A HOSEPIPE ban is looming in Yorkshire as reservoir stocks drop below 50 per cent.

Yorkshire Water said that is 20 per cent lower than normal for this time of year.

It comes as water companies are being urged to protect essential supplies heading into a “likely very dry autumn” as the hot, parched summer continues to take its toll.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: “Our reservoir stocks have dropped below 50 per cent, which is 20 per cent lower than normal for this time of year, and river levels remain low due to the lack of rain we’ve seen in our region.

“With those things in mind, we’re carefully reviewing our current and future position, taking into account the forecast for further high temperatures and little rainfall in the region.

“As a result, temporary use bans and drought permits are the options we’re considering.”

Meanwhile, conservationists are urging water company bosses to impose an England-wide hosepipe ban to avoid the worst effects of drought on rivers and wildlife.

They said action to reduce water use and pollution is needed to help the natural world, which has been hit by months of little rainfall combined with heatwaves.

The Wildlife Trusts are calling for the Government to set a fixed target under the Environment Act in England for reducing water use and require the installation of meters to ensure there is enough water in rivers for wildlife and people.

They also want to see a crackdown on pollution, including investigations and penalties for illegal sewage discharges, enforcing rules to protect rivers from agricultural run-off and ensuring new developments help to reduce the problem.

Ali Morse, water policy manager for The Wildlife Trusts, said: “Nature is really struggling with extreme weather, and we need to act now to ensure our parched landscapes and rivers – the natural environment that provides us with food and water – are more resilient in the future.

“Water bosses should unite and impose a country-wide hosepipe ban to reduce non-essential use and avoid the worst impacts of drought on rivers and wildlife, rather than relying on more damaging measures later.”

Environment Secretary George Eustice met with chief executives of water companies, who he said had assured him that water supplies remained resilient across the country.

“Each company has a pre-agreed drought plan which they are following, and I have urged them to take any precautionary steps needed to protect essential supplies as we go into a likely very dry autumn,” he said.