Britons face a ban from filling swimming pools and washing cars for the first time in decades if an extremely rare "drought order" is issued. Southern Water has warned that unless it can ban "unnecessary" water use, more than 150,000 Britons in Southampton, Eastleigh and the surrounding areas would face water shortages. Ministers are now reviewing a rare drought order from the company which would impose a non-essential use ban (NEUB) across parts of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. If limits on the Test are hit, water supplies may only last for a day or two, but it would soon struggle to maintain water supplies, Southern Water said. We are working closely with the Environment Agency, water companies, farmers, and environmental organisations to protect water supplies and minimise environmental damage.