The temporary use ban came into force on August 3 after months of dry weather, low rainfall and four successive heatwaves across East Anglia. In the week before the restrictions, customers in Essex used 3,412 megalitres of water. Across both Essex and Suffolk, water use dropped by 199 megalitres overall, representing a five per cent reduction. Chris Fulton, head of water supply at Essex & Suffolk Water, thanked customers for helping reduce demand. Essex & Suffolk Water said extremely dry soils, low river levels and pressure on groundwater supplies continue to create challenges across the region.