Anne Marie Morris MP highlighted how the current hosepipe ban was still in place after "torrential" spring storms at Prime Minister's Questions earlier this month.

She added that her constituents had been asking her why water catchment plans have not helped solve the problem.

The ban, which has been in place in Cornwall and parts of north Devon since August last year, was extended to parts of Devon including Dawlish and Teignmouth at the end of April.

South West Water described the measure as "the responsible thing" to do, as it said the region's water resources were "under immense and increasing pressure".

The Conservative MP for Newton Abbot, whose constituency includes Dawlish, said: "Newton Abbot constituents face hosepipe bans after torrential spring storms, and they are asking me why water catchment plans have not prevented this.

"Reservoirs, desalination plants and other natural catchment structures require siting where geography and geology allow.

"Is there a national strategy and implementation plan to increase water catchment and enable cross-water company water transfer to match regional demand to supply?"

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in response: "Water companies publish water resources management plans, which show how they will continue to provide a secure supply of water for customers.

"I understand that they have been consulting on their latest drafts of those plans.

"In my hon. Friend's area of Devon and Cornwall, where temporary use bans are in place, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the water regulators are working closely with South West Water to ensure that the company is taking all appropriate precautionary action to ensure that water supplies remain resilient this year."

As of 11 May 2023, Devon's Roadford Reservoir was at 69 per cent capacity compared with last year's 92 per cent.