Natural Resources Wales (NRW) yesterday confirmed that it is extending its drought declaration across the whole of Wales - with very little rainfall and sustained high temperatures over the last week, conditions across Wales’ natural environment have continued to deteriorate.

A new podcast series dives into the health of our rivers, produced by The Standard in association with Thames Water.

More parts of Scotland have moved into water scarcity following another week of exceptionally dry weather, with several areas now close to Significant Scarcity.

Widespread wildfires, record-low river flows and the mounting impacts of successive heatwaves on the environment have triggered the declaration of drought status in North Wales and the Upper Severn, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) confirmed yesterday.

The Government has rejected the call for water companies to be statutory consultees on all major planning decisions in the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee drought report Surviving drought: reclaim the rain’ published in May 2026.

Wessex Water is reporting a strong performance in the first year of AMP8, according to its Annual Report and Accounts for financial year 2025-26 - but acknowledges more improvement is needed on leakage and pollution incidents.

The National Drought Group is stepping up its response after the third heatwave as parts of southern, central, and eastern England move closer to drought status.

The Environment Agency has confirmed that more areas in England now in Prolonged Dry Weather status - all of East Anglia, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire have now moved to this status, following continued dry conditions.

The Planning Inspectorate has launched a public consultation on Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Project and is inviting people to register and have their say on the national infrastructure project.

On Wednesday this week in a live evidence session starting at 14.30pm on Wednesday 15 July 2026 the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee will explore how the net zero transition should be financed as it continues its inquiry into the Treasury’s role in climate and nature policy.