IT's the lifeblood of society and every living thing depends on it, but in less than 20 years, Hampshire's water supply could be under threat from climate change.

By 2020, hosepipe bans could be as familiar as slapping on suntan lotion and the smell of barbecues - and water companies may even have to issue drought orders.

Non-essential water use such as car washes, commercial cleaners, watering golf courses and filling swimming pools would be restricted.

A vision of the south coast as a major holiday hotspot stealing tourism from an overheated Costa del Sol and producing more wine than the vineyards of France seems not so far away, as experts predict that there will be major implications for Hampshire by the year 2080.

However it is the potentially devastating effects of a rising population, attracted by hotter summers and shorter winters, on the future of the county's water supply that is high on the agenda for a team of environment experts and council chiefs at a meeting today.

Looking as far ahead as 2080, Hampshire's Commission of Inquiry into Climate Change will be discussing the impact on the water supply and how it can accommodate and understand future demands under predicted climate conditions, which could see summer temperatures top 40C as well as rising sea levels along the south coast.

The commission, chaired by county council leader Councillor Ken Thornber, is made up of cross-party councillors, environment members and other external commissioners, and will also look at building environments, energy supplies and transport.

A presentation from the Environment Agency highlights the major threats to Hampshire's water.

It is based on a groundwater chalk supply, replenished every year by rainfall, and which has long been a resilient resource.

In a report to the commission, the agency has identified that increased water use from population growth, more homes and businesses and individuals using more water in hotter weather would be major strains on the natural supply.

Other factors would be the impact of predicted weather patterns that would see heavier rainfall over shorter winters and hotter summers having an adverse effect on the recharge of the groundwater supply and river flows.

Experts and advisers from Portsmouth Water - which extracts water from a number of sites, including the River Itchen, and supplies water across south east Hampshire and West Sussex - will make a submission to show ways of reducing the impact of climate change and accommodating demand.

In a report the company said that although it could currently meet the demand of customers, as changes occur on the water sources and population increases, the situation could start becoming critical from 2015.

It states: "Comparing supply and demand forecasts for the period through to 2030, it was apparent that although at average demand the company could meet forecast demands, during the critical period this would not be the case.

"By 2019/20 the company would need frequent hosepipe bans and in a peak demand dry summer of a drought year, much more stringent measures such as non-essential use drought orders, and possibly standpipe or rota cuts might be needed."

To combat the predicted water shortage, the company has outlined a number of solutions that include making water users more responsible, with water-saving flushes on toilets, low flow taps and showers and efficient washing machines.

As part of a series of water-saving solutions, it also cited water meters on new homes and a project to prevent waste from leaking pipes.

The commission will also look at waste water and the effect the results of climate change have on sewage, and debate issues with the experts before putting forward recommendations on how best to deal with the implications that could shape the environment of Hampshire in the decades to come.

Today's commission meeting will also look at the implications on built environments in Hampshire, where there are concerns that temperatures exceeding 40C could pose health risks.

Other key topics include enhancing local energy supplies by looking at which biofuel could be produced in Hampshire and what limitations it would have.

In a previous meeting, the impact on Hampshire's low-lying coast was outlined, with warnings about increased flooding and the loss of beaches through rising sea levels.

Cllr Thornber said: "The challenge is we have to find a way of adapting to rising sea levels that balances protecting infrastructure, properties and recreational facilities along the coast with the need to allow the coastline to move so natural habitats are not lost."

The commission will now see models of predicted sea level rise, and it has requested research into what other measures are being taken before deciding on the priorities for Hampshire and future recommendations.

Today's meeting is the second of four inquiry sessions for the commission. The next meeting, on wellbeing and society, will be held on July 17.