One of the UK's driest springs on record has so far led three water companies to announce hosepipe bans. Thames Water is the latest utility to announce a hosepipe ban, which begins next Tuesday for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and parts of Berkshire.

It joins Yorkshire Water and South East Water, which is imposing a hosepipe ban for customers in Kent and Sussex from July 18. The Environment Agency has said it expects to see other companies follow with their own hosepipe bans as they stick to drought plans, although this will also be dependent on rainfall and temperatures in the coming weeks.

Hosepipe bans aim to preserve water supplies and make sure there's enough available for everyone. Businesses which use hosepipes for commercial, health, or safety reasons can still use them, but not sprinklers or for things like cleaning a pavement or path outide a business premises.

You can still use water not sourced from the mains supply, such as rainwater from a water butt and water from a borehole.

Watering cans are obviously allowed too, but arguably the best way to water your garden or allotment is by using an irrigation system. Thames Water says such a system is permitted as long as it's an approved drip or trickle version.

Drip irrigation systems are designed to direct water to the roots of plants via a network of pipes around a garden. Drip emitters connected to the pipe are placed near the roots, slowly releasing the life-giving liquid to precious shrubs, plants and flowers.

In its guidance, Thames Water says the watering system has to be fitted with a pressure reducing valve and timer, neither of which should be handheld.

It adds: "They must place water drip by drip directly onto or beneath the soil surface. It must not cause surface run off or dispersion of water through the air using a jet or mist."

Yorkshire Water says much the same thing, but adds that an irrigation system may be used if it is connected to a metered water supply.

The company adds that irrigation systems can also be used when connected to a grey water or rainwater recycling system.

South East Water is telling its customers its hosepipe ban doesn't apply if it is used with a drip-fed system. In all other instances, the restriction applies.

There are other circumstances when hosepipes can still be used. This includes watering food crops in domestic gardens and on private allotments, but only if this can't be done with a watering can. If you have a pond which needs filling, a hosepipe can also be used to do that.

In parks and public gardens, hosepipes and sprinklers can't be used, though health and safety exemptions apply according to Thames Water's advice.

Be warned though that between water companies restrictions can vary as each has to gauge local resources to decide if any exceptions can be made.

To be on the safe side, check with your supplier as anyone found to have breached a ban without permission from their water company could be fined up to £1,000.