Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has raised the possibility of standpipes returning to UK streets if the country is hit by a third dry winter in a row.
Mrs Spelman told the BBC's Inside Out programme that while it was "most unlikely" that drought-affected areas would need to use standpipes this year, another dry winter could make it more likely they would have to be brought in.
And while the wettest April on record had been good for the drought situation, she said the heavy rain had not solved the problem - and a wet winter was needed to get things back to normal.
South east, south west and eastern England are in drought along with the Midlands and South and East Yorkshire after two extremely dry winters.
Many areas rely on groundwater for much of their tap water supplies, and the dry winters mean aquifers have not had a chance to recharge when they normally would.
Water companies who rely on groundwater for supplies are concerned about what will happen if there is a third dry winter.
Mrs Spelman told Inside Out: "I'm not deluded into thinking that I can tell you how much rain we are going to get - and it's far too early to tell yet whether we are going to have the wet winter we do need; but whereas it's most unlikely we would have standpipes this year, if we have another dry winter that becomes more likely."
She added: "We really do need a wet winter to get back to normal conditions."
Despite April's record wet weather beginning to restore depleted water levels below ground, the Environment Agency (EA) said it would take much more time and rain to undo the effects of the two dry winters.
Thames Water warned its 8.8 million customers a hosepipe ban would remain in place despite heavy downpours bringing more than double the long-term average rain for the month.
The UK's biggest water company said the rain had not made up for a shortfall caused by below-average rainfall in 20 of the previous 25 months.
Richard Aylard, director of sustainability and external affairs for Thames Water, said: "It took the two driest years since records began for us to get into this drought, and one wet month, even one as wet as April, will not be enough to get us out of it."
Prolonged and heavy downpours caused major flooding across areas in the south of Britain over the past week, with 100 properties in England and Wales becoming partly submerged since Friday, according to the EA.
A number of transport routes were also affected while a respected Mental Health Tribunal judge was killed when a car was swept away by 5ft of fast-flowing water as it drove across a ford.
Jonathan Gammon, 52, from Kingston Lane, Teddington, Middlesex, was trapped in his Toyota Yaris after attempting to cross the ford at Thornford Road, Headley, Hampshire, on Monday.
Despite flood waters beginning to recede overnight, the EA said it was continuing to keep a "close watch" on river levels.
The agency has cut its number of flood warnings to 24, while 102 less severe flood alerts are in place.
However, MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, warned further downpours were expected to return tonight and over the coming days.
Forecaster Matt Dobson said: "There is another band of heavy rain that is going to hit southern parts of the UK later tonight and last throughout tomorrow and into Friday morning.
"It will cover south Wales and the majority of the south of England with around 10mm to 20mm (0.4in to 0.8in) of rain falling in most places and up to an inch of rain in the worst effected regions.
"If this band of rain was coming on its own then it wouldn't be a noteworthy event but after what has happened in the last week it could keep the river levels quite high and lead to further flooding."
The weekend is set to be drier but colder, with frost on Saturday night a possibility in rural parts of northern England and Scotland, Meteogroup said.
Temperatures were forecast to plunge as low as -1C in these areas - some eight degrees below the current average night time temperature.
"It's not unheard of to have these temperatures as this time of year but it's certainly colder than average," senior forecaster Paul Mott said.
Mrs Spelman told Inside Out the Government was taking steps to ensure water supplies, including encouraging companies to work together to transport water more efficiently from wet to dry areas.
And she raised the issue of how the UK uses water - including using drinking water for things such as flushing toilets and washing clothes.
:: Drought 2012 - an Inside Out Special airs tonight on BBC1 at 7.30pm.
Has the recent weather wreaked havoc where you live? Email your pictures to ukpicturedesk@teamaol.com and we’ll credit you.
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Spring weather May 1st
A team from Gloucester Fire and Rescue service scout the flooded areas of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire after heavy overnight rainfall.
Spring weather May 1st
A team from Gloucester Fire and Rescue service scout the flooded areas of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire after heavy overnight rainfall.
Spring weather May 1st
A member of a team from Gloucester Fire and Rescue service looks for hidden obstructions before launching a boat scout the flooded areas of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire after heavy overnight rainfall.
Spring weather May 1st
A team from Gloucester Fire and Rescue service scout the flooded areas of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire after heavy overnight rainfall.
Spring weather May 1st
Swans swim past signs for riverside walks along the River Severn in Worcester, as parts of England and Wales are facing fresh flood fears after heavy rain lashed southern Britain overnight following the wettest April since records began.
Water Levels Rise As Tewkesbury Braces Itself For Flooding
TEWKESBURY, ENGLAND - MAY 01: A car drives through flood water in Tewkesbury on May 1, 2012 in Tewkesbury, England. After the wettest April in 100 years, thousands of homes, particularly in the south west of England, faced a renewed risk of flooding after heavy rain fell overnight and many rivers remained on flood alerts. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Water Levels Rise As Tewkesbury Braces Itself For Flooding
TEWKESBURY, ENGLAND - MAY 01: Cars drive though spray on the M5 motorway on May 1, 2012 near Tewkesbury, England. After the wettest April in 100 years, thousands of homes, particularly in the south west of England, faced a renewed risk of flooding after heavy rain fell overnight and many rivers remained on flood alerts. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Water Levels Rise As Tewkesbury Braces Itself For Flooding
TEWKESBURY, ENGLAND - MAY 01: Flood waters gather on land close to Tewkesbury Abbey on May 1, 2012 in Tewkesbury, England. After the wettest April in 100 years, thousands of homes, particularly in the south west of England, faced a renewed risk of flooding after heavy rain fell overnight and many rivers remained on flood alerts. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Water Levels Rise As Tewkesbury Braces Itself For Flooding
TEWKESBURY, ENGLAND - MAY 01: Flood water overflows from the rive in Tewkesbury on May 1, 2012 in Tewkesbury, England. After the wettest April in 100 years, thousands of homes, particularly in the south west of England, faced a renewed risk of flooding after heavy rain fell overnight and many rivers remained on flood alerts. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Water Levels Rise As Tewkesbury Braces Itself For Flooding
TEWKESBURY, ENGLAND - MAY 01: Flood water overflows from the river in Tewkesbury on May 1, 2012 in Tewkesbury, England. After the wettest April in 100 years, thousands of homes, particularly in the south west of England, faced a renewed risk of flooding after heavy rain fell overnight and many rivers remained on flood alerts. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Spring weather May 1st
A man hole cover is burst open by excess water in Witney, Oxfordshire, as parts of England and Wales are facing fresh flood fears after heavy rain lashed southern Britain overnight following the wettest April since records began.
Spring weather May 1st
Tourists look for a way around the flooding in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, as parts of England and Wales are facing fresh flood fears after heavy rain lashed southern Britain overnight following the wettest April since records began.
Spring weather May 1st
A man hole cover is burst open by excess water in Witney, Oxfordshire, as parts of England and Wales are facing fresh flood fears after heavy rain lashed southern Britain overnight following the wettest April since records began.
Spring weather May 1st
Flooding in a playground near Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire, as parts of England and Wales are facing fresh flood fears after heavy rain lashed southern Britain overnight following the wettest April since records began.
Spring weather May 1st
Flooding in a playground near Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire, as parts of England and Wales are facing fresh flood fears after heavy rain lashed southern Britain overnight following the wettest April since records began.
Spring weather May 1st
Flooding near Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire, as parts of England and Wales are facing fresh flood fears after heavy rain lashed southern Britain overnight following the wettest April since records began.
Spring weather May 1st
People discuss the flooding in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, as parts of England and Wales are facing fresh flood fears after heavy rain lashed southern Britain overnight following the wettest April since records began.
Spring weather May 1st
A general view of standing water in fields near Glastonbury, as parts of England and Wales are facing fresh flood fears after heavy rain lashed southern Britain overnight following the wettest April since records began.
Spring weather May 1st
A general view of the River Brue, which is two foot above the level of the road and fields either side, as it winds it's way along the Somerset Levels and towards Glastonbury, where St Michael's Tower sits on Glastonbury Tor, as parts of England and Wales are facing fresh flood fears after heavy rain lashed southern Britain overnight following the wettest April since records began.
Spring weather May 1st
Swans swim past signs for riverside walks along the River Severn in Worcester, as parts of England and Wales are facing fresh flood fears after heavy rain lashed southern Britain overnight following the wettest April since records began.
Spring weather April 30th
Floodwaters rise around Tewkesbury Abbey, as much of England and Wales was braced for flooding today as further heavy rain continued to wreak havoc across the country.
Spring weather April 30th
Floodwaters rise around Mill Street, Tewkesbury, as much of England and Wales was braced for flooding today as further heavy rain continued to wreak havoc across the country.
Landrovers make a soggy trip in Essex
Collapsed scaffolding on a road in London
Life Aquatic in Essex
A tree lays waste to a car in Dulwich, south London
The Knavesmire and York racecourse is not fit for use
Walkies! A man and his dog paddle through a flooded village green in York
A lorry drives through Hodge Beck river in North Yorkshire
Soccer - Rangers Administration - Ibrox
Rangers manager Ally McCoist, arrives in heavy rain, to Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow as Rangers administrators warn attempts to rebuild the crisis club have been seriously undermined.
Rain continues
A man holds an umbrella in heavy rain in Dublin city centre.
Horse Racing - 2012 Punchestown Festival - thetote.com Punchestown Gold Cup Day - Punchestown Racecourse
Punters arrive in heavy rain for day two of the Punchestown Festival at Punchestown Racecourse, Naas.
Heavy rain across the UK
A van drives through a puddle near Epsom, Surrey, as wet weather continues across the UK.
Spring weather Apr 25
Shoppers use their umbrellas to shield from rain in Strafford upon Avon city centre.
Spring weather Apr 25
Heavy rain on the M20 in Ashford, Kent.
Spring weather Apr 25
Shoppers use their umbrellas to shield from rain in Strafford upon Avon city centre.
Spring weather Apr 25
Drops of rain fall in Ashford, Kent.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge 1st wedding anniversary
File photo dated 04/07/11 ofof the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sheltering from the rain under umbrellas at Dalvay by the Sea, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Spring weather April 30th
Floodwaters rise around Mill Street, Tewkesbury, as much of England and Wales was braced for flooding today as further heavy rain continued to wreak havoc across the country.
Spring weather April 30th
Floodwaters rise around Mill Street, Tewkesbury, as much of England and Wales was braced for flooding today as further heavy rain continued to wreak havoc across the country.
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PA | Posted: 2/05/2012 07:03 Updated: 2/05/2012 07:03