The latest report from the Environment Agency says drought is continuing to impact England’s reservoirs after the sixth dry month of 2026, with below average September rainfall compounding drought issues in southern and central England.

Photo:Ardingly Reservoir was at 23 per cent total capacity on 28 September

Most of England’s reservoirs are now classed as notably or exceptionally low after another dry month and the government is working with water companies to ensure supplies are protected.

At this time of year, the Environment Agency would expect England’s overall reservoir storage to be almost three-quarters (74.3%) full.

However, as a result of this year’s drought most are less than half full, with concerns for Ardingly (West Sussex) and Wimbleball (Somerset) that are 23% and 21% full respectively.

The updated statistics come after Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle both made clear this week that water is a priority area for the Government.

For the essentials of life, like water, the public interest should be the primary consideration - and this summer’s drought has underlined that need.

On top of persistent action through the summer to coordinate across the water sector through weekly National Drought Group meetings, there will be wholesale reform of the industry through the strengthened Water Bill. More details will be set out in the coming months on the Government’s plans for water.

The Government and the Environment Agency are continuing to scrutinise water company actions and ensure they are adhering to their statutory drought plans to conserve supplies and support communities.

As well as enhanced monitoring and more checks on abstractors, the EA is quickly processing drought permit applications to allow water companies to reduce the amount of water they must provide into local rivers.

South East Water applied to the Government on 2nd October for a non-essential use ban (NEUB) that would leave more water available for households to prevent the need for additional measures.

Water Minister Emma Hardy said:

“This is further evidence that fundamental reform is needed to make the water sector deliver for the public interest.

“We know this year’s record dry spring and successive summer heatwaves have really stretched water resources, but any further disruption to customer supplies would be entirely unacceptable.

“Water companies must urgently take every possible step to conserve what remains, quickly fix leaks, reduce demand, and progress any contingency plans they need for the weeks ahead.

“Our strengthened Water Bill will start a decade-long journey to a very different water system, including nine new major reservoirs to secure supplies.”

September is the sixth month this year that has recorded less than average rainfall, averaging 65% across the country.

However, there are significant regional differences with the drought-hit areas of England again seeing the least amount of rain. The east and south east saw 52% and 57% respectively. Central England saw 59% and the south west 69%.

While the cooler temperatures have seen demand for water reduce, the country is still using more than expected for this time of year – putting reservoirs and public supplies under strain.

Depending on rainfall and demand by consumers and businesses, reservoir storage is set to continue to decline throughout the rest of the year without major interventions – such as NEUBs.

Soils are still very dry and the Environment Agency recently warned that 120% of average rainfall is needed over the coming seven months for the entire country to be out of drought by next spring.

El Niño is set to put the UK at a slightly greater risk of a wet, stormy autumn but drought pressures will persist in some areas.

EA announce two key changes to way abstraction licences work to help farmers

The National Drought Group’s weekly meeting last Thursday saw the EA announce two key changes to the way abstraction licences work to help farmers.

The moves follow the £65million package announced over the summer to help farmers impacted by drought, including funding up to £15 million to build on-farm reservoirs, helping farmers to better store more water when it rains.

The first change allows farmers to start filling up their water storage reservoirs from 1st October (instead of November 1st), making sure they are prepared for continuous drought conditions. To protect the environment, this change will not apply to river catchments that are classed as principal salmon rivers to help fish stocks recover or those where S57 restrictions are in place.

The second change makes it simpler for farmers to apply for longer-term abstraction licences.

Environment Agency Chief Executive Philip Duffy, who chaired the National Drought Group meeting, said:

“As the national drought group heard this week, continued below average rainfall means we all need to use water wisely. The drought is far from over.

“The Government and regulators are working closely with the water industry to manage water reserves carefully and have taken a number of steps to help.

“But we also need to support agriculture, and we have implemented a number of steps to help farmers boost their resilience whilst protecting the environment.”

The EA has separately published the latest in its series of summary reports on dry weather and drought in England in 2026 and how it affects public water supply, agriculture, energy and the environment.