Sixth month of below-average rainfall leaves reservoirs dangerously depleted, with some holding barely a fifth of their capacity
England’s prolonged drought is continuing to take a heavy toll on the country’s water resources, with reservoir levels remaining critically low following another month of insufficient rainfall. Government figures show that September marked the sixth month of 2026 with below-average precipitation, intensifying concerns about water security, particularly across southern and central England.
According to the Environment Agency, reservoirs across much of England are now classified as notably or exceptionally low. At this stage of the year, total reservoir storage would normally stand at approximately 74.3% of capacity. Instead, most reservoirs are currently less than half full.
The situation is particularly concerning at Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex, which was operating at just 23% capacity on 28 September, and Wimbleball Reservoir in Somerset, where water levels had fallen to 21%.
The latest figures have prompted renewed government efforts to safeguard public water supplies and prevent further deterioration. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle have both identified water security as a major government priority, with ministers stressing that essential resources must be managed in the public interest.
The government has maintained close coordination with water companies throughout the summer, holding weekly meetings of the National Drought Group to assess conditions and coordinate emergency responses. Ministers are also preparing broader structural changes to the water industry through a strengthened Water Bill, with further details expected in the coming months.
The Environment Agency is increasing its scrutiny of water companies to ensure they comply with statutory drought management plans. Measures include more intensive monitoring, additional inspections of water abstraction activities and accelerated consideration of drought permit applications.
Such permits allow water companies, under specific conditions, to temporarily reduce the volume of water they are required to release into rivers, helping preserve supplies for households while seeking to minimise environmental damage.
South East Water is also preparing to submit an application for a non-essential use ban, which would restrict certain activities and help conserve water for domestic consumption, potentially avoiding the need for more severe restrictions.
Water Minister Emma Hardy warned that the drought had exposed fundamental weaknesses in the current water system and reinforced the need for comprehensive reform.
She said that the exceptionally dry spring, followed by repeated summer heatwaves, had placed unprecedented pressure on available resources. However, she stressed that any further disruption to household water supplies would be unacceptable.
Hardy called on water companies to intensify conservation efforts, repair leaks urgently, reduce consumption and implement contingency measures to prepare for further shortages. She also highlighted the government's ambition to introduce nine major new reservoirs as part of a long-term programme to strengthen national water security.
Rainfall deficit threatens winter recovery
September's rainfall averaged just 65% of the seasonal norm across England, with the driest conditions concentrated in regions already struggling with drought.
The East recorded only 52% of its average September rainfall, while the South East received 57%. Central England registered 59%, and the South West reached 69%.
Although cooler autumn temperatures have helped reduce demand, consumption remains higher than would normally be expected at this time of year. This continued pressure, combined with limited rainfall, is preventing reservoirs from recovering.
Without substantial intervention, water storage levels are expected to continue declining during the remainder of the year, depending on weather conditions and consumption by households and businesses.
The Environment Agency has warned that England needs rainfall equivalent to 120% of the national average over the next seven months if the country is to emerge from drought by spring 2027.
Despite the possibility of wetter autumn conditions associated with the developing El Niño weather pattern, officials caution that rainfall alone may not be sufficient to resolve the crisis in the most severely affected areas.
Climate change is also making water management increasingly complicated, as the country faces growing risks of both drought and flooding, sometimes within the same geographical areas.
New measures aim to support farmers
Alongside efforts to protect public water supplies, the government and the Environment Agency are introducing measures to help agriculture cope with prolonged dry conditions.
At the latest National Drought Group meeting, the Environment Agency announced two changes to abstraction licensing arrangements intended to improve farmers' ability to manage water resources.
Under the first measure, farmers can begin filling their private water storage reservoirs earlier than previously permitted, starting immediately rather than waiting until 1 November. The measure is designed to help agricultural businesses prepare for continued drought and secure water supplies whenever conditions allow.
However, the earlier filling arrangements will not apply to designated principal salmon river catchments or areas subject to Section 57 restrictions, ensuring that vulnerable fish populations and sensitive ecosystems remain protected.
The second change will simplify the process for farmers seeking longer-term water abstraction licences, potentially making it easier for agricultural businesses to plan for future water shortages.
These measures follow a £65 million government support package announced by Prime Minister Burnham earlier this summer. The funding includes up to £15 million for the construction of on-farm reservoirs, allowing farmers to capture and store water during wetter periods.
Environment Agency Chief Executive Philip Duffy, who chaired the latest National Drought Group meeting, emphasised that the situation remained serious despite the arrival of cooler weather.
He urged households and businesses to continue using water responsibly, noting that government agencies, regulators and water companies were working together to manage remaining reserves.
Duffy also stressed the importance of helping farmers strengthen their resilience while ensuring that measures introduced to support agriculture do not undermine environmental protection.
Long-term investment in water infrastructure
The government is pursuing a broader programme aimed at reducing England's vulnerability to future water shortages.
Alongside the £65 million agricultural support package, ministers have allocated £100 million to improve the country's capacity to respond to extreme weather events and wildfires.
Water companies are expected to develop additional infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs by 2050, desalination facilities and expanded water transfer networks designed to move supplies between regions experiencing different levels of water stress.
Legislative changes under the Planning and Infrastructure Act are also intended to accelerate reservoir construction. Under the new arrangements, projects developed by companies outside the traditional water sector can qualify automatically as nationally significant infrastructure projects, potentially shortening approval procedures.
The government is additionally working on mandatory water-efficiency labelling and preparing a response to a consultation on improving water conservation standards in newly built homes.
Nature-based solutions are another part of the strategy. These include restoring peatlands, expanding wetlands and planting trees to improve water retention, reduce flood risks and help landscapes withstand prolonged dry periods.
Meanwhile, the National Drought Group has moved to weekly meetings as part of the government's heightened emergency response. Its membership includes government departments, regulators, the Met Office, water companies, agricultural representatives, conservation organisations, anglers and the Canal & River Trust.
The Environment Agency is currently considering ten drought permit applications and has already approved a permit for South East Water to help replenish Ardingly Reservoir.
With the drought expected to remain a significant challenge into the coming months, authorities are encouraging the public to support the national Let’s Save Water campaign.
Officials warn that restoring depleted reservoirs will require sustained rainfall, reduced consumption and continued coordination across the water sector. Even if wetter weather arrives, the scale of the current deficit means that England's water resources could remain under pressure well into 2027. Photo by Davide Restivo from Aarau, Switzerland, Wikimedia commons.
