The National Drought Group (NDG) has classified the current water shortage in England as a nationally significant incident. Five areas are officially in drought, while six more are experiencing prolonged dry weather. This follows the driest six months to July since 1976.
Despite unsettled weather in July, many river flows and reservoir levels continued to decline. July was the fifth warmest on record, and August has seen a return to drier conditions alongside the fourth heatwave of the summer.
The NDG, which includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, the National Farmers' Union (NFU), and conservation organisations, reviewed sectoral water-saving measures. Yorkshire Water reported a 10% drop in domestic demand following its hosepipe ban, saving an estimated 80 million litres per day.
Helen Wakeham, NDG chair and Environment Agency Director of Water, said: "The current situation is nationally significant, and we are calling on everyone to play their part and help reduce the pressure on our water environment." She added that water companies should fix leaks quickly and continue sustainable practices.
The NFU reported dry conditions affecting harvests, with mixed yields across the country. NFU Vice-President Rachel Hallos noted reduced grass growth, forcing livestock farmers to use winter feed early. She emphasised the need for investment in water infrastructure and improved planning to secure supplies for food production.
Environmental impacts include reduced oxygen levels in rivers, limiting fish movement, and increasing algal blooms. Wetland habitats are also drying, and the risk of wildfires in heathland and moorland has risen.
The Met Office forecast indicates warmer conditions in southern England and Wales, with high pressure likely bringing settled weather into late August.
Water Minister Emma Hardy said the government is working with the NDG to manage the situation and urged water companies to follow drought plans, warning she will hold them to account if they delay. She referred to a $132 billion (£104 billion) private investment plan to build nine reservoirs and improve pipelines.
Current drought areas include Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, East Midlands, and West Midlands. Reservoirs across England are 67.7% full on average, compared to the early August norm of 80.5%.
Water companies are accelerating leak repairs, with several reporting hundreds of weekly fixes. Smart meters, acoustic sensors, and satellite technology are being used to locate and address leaks. The Environment Agency is increasing compliance checks for abstractors, monitoring river and groundwater levels, and requesting voluntary reductions in water use from farmers in East Anglia to delay formal restrictions.
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