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.

Half of England has been declared in drought by the Environment Agency - seven areas of the countare ry now officially in drought after record low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures.

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.

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.

South East Water is introducing temporary restrictions on the use of hosepipes introduced across South East Water's supply areas in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire; customers in the company’s Kent supply area are already subject to temporary hosepipe restrictions.

As the UK experiences the warmest June temperatures on record, Anglian Water is urging customers to use less water wherever they can.

The National Drought Group has been told that just three months after the last drought officially ended, the parched conditions this spring have increased the risk of drought this summer.

South East Water has published its draft Drought Plan 2027–2032, which sets out the steps it would take during periods of drought or high demand to ensure it delivers a reliable drinking water supply for the essential needs of drinking, washing, cooking and cleaning.