A temporary use ban across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight comes into force at 9am today.
The water company, which increased bills earlier this year, said the ban was necessary to “protect our environment and keep taps running through the hot summer”, and after the driest spring in over 100 years.
But Councillor David Harrison, who represents Totton South and Marchwood on New Forest District Council, said the company had been allowed to put profits before people for too long.
The councillor also said that a lack of proper regulation had allowed the water network to fall into decline.
Cllr Harrison added: “The way Southern Water have operated over many years has reached levels well beyond scandalous.
“You have to say though that the real problem is governance and regulation.
“If you give a commercial company a complete monopoly it isn’t unreasonable to suppose that the people running the operation will do so in order to maximise profits in ways that benefit them personally.
“I am sick of successive governments faffing around with this issue.
“The latest attempt at restraining the fat cats who run the water companies hasn’t worked.”
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Southern Water’s Water Managing Director Tim McMahon said: “We’re sorry we’re taking this step, but as other water companies have already done, we have to respond to the widespread and prolonged dry weather affecting our region.”
The councillor also criticised Southern Water for sewage spills.
He added: “Government has permitted water companies to pump sewage directly into our rivers and seas.
“Admittedly, it is done so as not to flood into people’s homes but are we prepared to accept that a civilised country like ours has to resort to this on thousands of occasions.”
As part of the Water For Life Hampshire project, Southern Water is building Britain’s first reservoir for 40 years at Havant Thicket, which the company says will help avoid future hosepipe bans.
