Fears are growing that a summer of drought lies ahead despite rain being forecast for some places over the weekend.
Last month was the hottest April on record and one of the driest, with the UK receiving only 52% of its usual rainfall.
In England that figure was just 21%, and in Wales it was 33% of the average.
With so little water flowing into reservoirs they suffered their second largest decline in stocks since 1997.
The Environment Agency says river levels in many parts of England and Wales are low, however, forward drought planning has reduced the risk of early restrictions on public water supplies such as hose pipe bans.
Trevor Bishop, Head of Water Resources at the Environment Agency, said: "Hot dry spells are a normal part of most years and the Environment Agency, water companies and other water users such as farmers and industry have developed plans to cope with these without restricting water use in the short term.
"During dry weather it is even more important that water is used efficiently, and the needs of the public, business and the environment are balanced."
Grain farmers in particular have suffered, with the unseasonable dry conditions threatening their crops.
Yorkshire farmer Matthew Machin told Sky News the recent dry spell has been a mixed blessing at his Balloon Tree farm.
He said his asparagus and strawberry crops had both come early adding: "It's all due to the dry weather."
Many grain farmers have already taken the unusual step of having to irrigate their crops to avoid them being ruined, though the Environment Agency could restrict how much water they can take if the warm spell continues.
During the record breaking summer of 1976 the Government was forced to pass a Drought Act to protect national water supplies.
Forecasters predict rain for many parts this weekend, but will it be enough?
Met Office forecaster Marco Petangna said: "There's every chance as we get towards the end of next week pressure will start to build across southern parts of the UK and things will start to settle down once again.
"We'll see increasingly warm and sunny conditions take hold across the south of the UK and towards the end of May much of the UK could sees lots of fine and settled conditions which could continue into the first part of June as well.
"Not good conditions for farmers and growers."
The Environment Agency is advising everyone to use water wisely over the coming months to avoid restrictions being put in place.
