The prolonged dry weather is already impacting river flow levels in the region with many river monitoring stations across the south east reporting “falling” or “below-normal” flow conditions.
Environmentalists are concerned that the low river flows will lead to fish becoming trapped and crowded in isolated pools.
The EA has already carried out fish rescues in parts of the country.
Reduced flows also mean water in rivers heat up faster, reducing the amount of dissolved oxygen fish need to breathe.
Many rivers in the region are groundwater-fed and the wetter than average winter might be helping to buffer some of the immediate impacts on flows and wildlife.
Dr Neil Bailey, from the South East Rivers Trust says river levels across the region are “worryingly low.”
Bailey says it is important that “we minimise the amount of water we abstract from our rivers during this time”.
Rachel Paget from the Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust said: “I hope most people will understand and support the hosepipe ban.”
Paget says the ban is needed to support the “fragile river systems” which she says are “suffering from a barrage of pressures”.
