A Thames Water spokesperson told the Adver: "We'll continue to monitor water levels and conditions across the region and we will lift the hosepipe ban as soon as conditions allow. A spokesperson for the company added: "Introducing a hosepipe ban is not a step we take lightly. "We've been working around the clock to maintain water supplies, but we now need everyone's help to reduce non-essential water use." Water demand also rose sharply, with an extra 100 million litres used daily across the Thames Water region – the equivalent of adding all the homes in Manchester to the Thames Water network. Nevil Muncaster, strategic water resources director at Thames Water, said: "We would not be taking this step unless it was necessary to protect water supplies for everyone and the environment.