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Many roads were flooded across the Merseyside region this afternoon with drivers stranded in cars.
But despite the deluge the water saving order that was imposed by the supply giant United Utilities on 9th
July will not be lifted yet
Despite more than 4 inches of rainfall in parts of Lancashire water bosses said the ban will continue until stocks make a full recovery.
United Utilities warned further sustained rainfall is required before all reservoirs fully recover from levels at which saw them half-empty.
The firm said the North West had only seen two-thirds the normal average rainfall from April to 9th July.
A United Utilities spokesman said: "Much of the recent rain has simply started to re-wet the ground that had completely dried out due to the driest seven-months on record.
"Reservoirs across the Pennines in Lancashire remain particularly low despite the recent storms in the county, with many still less than half full, the lowest since records began 74-years ago.
"Normally at this time of the year Pennine & Lake District reservoirs should be around 70% full."
The heavy rain across other parts of Cumbria during the past seven days helped river flows and lake levels to increase sufficiently enabling the water firm to re-start their pumping stations at Lakes Windermere and Ullswater, the first time since Easter.
The spokeswoman added: "We're monitoring reservoir levels on a daily basis and we will lift the hosepipe ban as soon as all reservoirs recover to normal.
"There is more rain forecast for the region, and whilst not great for summer,is welcomed to bring the driest start to the year back into balance."
