The Environment Agency has declared a severe drought across large parts of southern England following months of critically low rainfall and the hottest summer on record, according to a review by the National Drought Group.
Six counties are affected by the highest level of drought classification: Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex. The government emphasised that customer water supplies would continue uninterrupted, but that the declaration “ensures proactive steps are taken to safeguard water before any disruption occurs”.
Two major reservoirs have triggered particular alarm. Wimbleball Reservoir on Exmoor, which serves roughly 300,000 properties across east Devon, north Devon, Somerset, west Dorset and West Somerset, currently stands at just 14.9% capacity. Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex, supplying 280,000 customers across East and West Sussex, sits at 19.4% full.
The Environment Agency has classified both Wimbleball and Colliford in Cornwall as having exceptionally low levels. Other significant reservoirs are similarly depleted: Roadford in Devon at 36.8%, Burrator at 33.6%, Colliford at 35% and Stithians at 21.9%. Normally, the agency would expect reservoir storage to be around 75% at this time of year.
Emergency measures activated
Ministers have instructed water companies to conduct daily monitoring of reservoir and river levels alongside tougher water quality checks. The Environment Agency will increase compliance inspections on businesses that extract water from natural sources to ensure they stay within permitted limits.
The agency has already granted drought permits to South East Water and South West Water, allowing them to reduce daily water releases to the River Ouse by three million litres and to the River Exe by nine million litres respectively.
A hosepipe ban introduced on 8 August remains in effect across Devon, Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and parts of Dorset and Somerset, with no confirmed end date. Wessex Water brought in its first hosepipe ban in half a century in August and said restrictions would stay for the foreseeable future.
Environment Agency chief executive Philip Duffy said: “Record-breaking summer heat and severe drought have put our water resources under immense pressure. Recovery depends on both rainfall and how much water we use. We cannot change the weather, but water companies can act now.”
What severe drought means
Severe drought is the highest level the Environment Agency can declare. It is announced when evidence shows drought is causing, or is likely to cause, serious harm and urgent action is needed to protect people, water supplies, the environment, farming, infrastructure and essential services.
The declaration does not automatically trigger new restrictions or constitute a civil emergency, but it signals a co-ordinated response from government, water companies and other organisations to reduce impacts and support recovery. Water companies may introduce further measures in affected areas to protect supplies.
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said: “This level of drought is something we have not experienced for decades, so this government is stepping up our support and planning. We are working closely with water companies to protect public supplies in the areas affected.”
Douglas Whitfield, operations director at South East Water, said standpipes remained part of the company’s drought plan but were unlikely to be needed. The firm has deployed 92 repair crews across Sussex and Kent to tackle leaks and minimise network losses. A wet winter has been forecast, though the timing remains unclear.
What this means for Poles in the UK
If you live or work in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex or West Sussex, you should prepare for water-saving measures to continue for several months. The hosepipe ban already in place makes it illegal to use a hose for watering gardens, washing cars or filling paddling pools. Breaches can lead to fines of up to £1,000.
Residents are urged to cut water use at home: take shorter showers, turn taps off while brushing teeth, only run washing machines and dishwashers with full loads, and report leaks immediately to your water company. Landlords and tenants should both check for dripping taps and leaking toilets, which waste thousands of litres over time.
While standpipes on streets remain unlikely, water companies may impose further restrictions if reservoir levels continue to fall. Check your supplier’s website for updates on drought measures in your postcode. South West Water, Wessex Water and South East Water serve the affected regions. If you run a business that uses large amounts of water or extracts from rivers or boreholes, expect stricter Environment Agency inspections and ensure you hold the correct permits.
Officials stress that tap water remains safe to drink and supplies will not be cut off, but conservation now is essential to avoid more severe measures later. For official guidance, visit the Environment Agency website or contact your water supplier directly.
