NORTH West Water is applying to take more water from the Lake District to supply parts of drought-hit Lancashire.
The firm has been extracting water from Windermere and Ullswater since before Christmas, but the drought orders - granted by the Government - run out at the end of February.
"The drought is showing no signs of ending at the moment," said Peter Birtwistle, water supply general manager.
"The region as a whole has experienced below average rainfall in every month since last march.
"That means that our reservoirs in Lancashire, which are severely depleted, have had no chance to refill."
North West Water is now applying for renewed permission to take water from Windermere and Ullswater.
The decision, to be taken by the Secretary of State for the Environment, is expected to take four weeks.
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