Merseyside, along with the rest of the UK, has been basking - or sweltering - in consistently high temperatures for more than a week now.
The warm and sunny weather is forecast to break temporarily over the weekend, but the long-term forecast is for warmer and drier conditions to arrive next month for much of the UK.
As is always the case with scorching temperatures, this has led to fears a hosepipe ban could be introduced as the position is kept constantly under review.
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Although the hosepipe ban website currently says the likelihood of such a ban being introduced is "very unlikely" for most of the UK, people living in Leicestershire were this week told to stop using sprinklers, hoses and jet washers as the heatwave caused a spike in water use.
What are the rules if a hosepipe ban is put in place?
Usually it is quite simply the use of a hosepipe outside that is restricted if a ban is put in place. This includes using them to water your garden or wash your car.
The use of watering cans, buckets and other water carrying devices had been deemed OK.
But different water companies will have different restrictions in place depending on the circumstances so it is always important to check.
Hosepipes and sprinklers and such are targeted as they are tended to be on for long periods of time meaning they use of lots of water.
The use of watering cans and buckets is usually OK as they don't use as much water.
Is there a fine for breaking the hosepipe ban?
In extreme cases a fine of up to £1,000 can be imposed under Section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991.
Those caught using a hosepipe during a ban are more likely get a phone call or letter from their water company warning them to limit their water use.
How to save water & money
Outside Your House
* Use a watering can in the garden - hosepipes use up to 540 litres of water an hour, whereas a watering can usually holds 10 litres.
* Let your grass grow longer - during dry periods, it will wear better.
* Hoe the soil in your garden, to stimulate plant growth, get rid of weeds and reduce water loss from the surface.
* Add mulch to your soil - a layer of tree bark, compost or coconut husks keeps the sun off the soil and keeps moisture in.
* Water your garden once a week - that is all it needs, even during the hottest weather. And be sure to water it during the coolest part of the day.
* Get a water butt - you can collect rainwater to use on the garden.
* Report any leaks you see by filling in an online form from United Utilities.
Inside Your House
* Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth - over a year, this will save enough water to make 40,000 cups of tea.
* Take a shower instead of a bath, saving up to 400 litres of water a week. Every minute cut off your daily shower could save between £5-10 per year on your energy bills too.
* Use a plug in the kitchen sink - running the tap can waste a litre of water every six or seven seconds.
* Keep a container of water in the fridge for drinks, so you don't have to run the tap.
* Switch on your dishwasher or washing machine only when full. If possible, buy AAA machines which are the most efficient.
* Replace the washer in a dripping tap - one tap could waste as much as 90 litres of water a week. If it is a hot water tap, fixing the leak could also save £18 a year on your bills too.
* Fit a water-saving device in your cistern, like United Utilities' Save-a-Flush - they're free and you can order one by clicking here.
* Lag your pipes to avoid bursts.
* Use the dirty water from your fish tank to water your plants. It is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, which make for excellent fertilizer.
* Only fill the kettle with as much water as you need. Two-thirds of us waste energy and water by boiling too much water.
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