South East Water has today announced temporary hosepipe restrictions for Kent and Sussex customers - record-breaking demand for drinking water has put significant pressure on drinking water supplies, as the region grapples with a prolonged dry period and an approaching third heatwave of the summer.

Yorkshire Water has announced that a hosepipe ban will start on 11 July this week -.the Environment Agency officially declared a drought in Yorkshire in June and forecasters are predicting a warm summer ahead.

Continued dry and warm weather over the last week and England’s warmest June on record has seen reservoir stocks continue to decline across Yorkshire.

Despite rain and thunderstorms in the last few days, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are warning against complacency - Scotland's rivers are still under stress.

The Environment Agency has published its drought plan guideline 2025 for water companies that are wholly or mainly in England - the companies are required to follow the guideline when preparing their drought plans. The drought plan guideline was last published in 2020. 

Thames Water has today launched a major 10- week statutory public consultation on its proposed Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) project - the nationally significant infrastructure project aim is to provide a safe, secure and sustainable water supply for millions of Londoners during drought, supported by water recycling.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are warning that despite rain in most of the country, current river flow monitoring shows sustained local pressure in northern catchments - with one area now at Significant Water Scarcity.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has declared ‘Developing Drought’ status for the area served by the Mid and South Ceredigion water network, due to the levels of water stored in the area’s reservoirs.

The Environment Agency has today declared drought status in Yorkshire – the county has become the second region to enter drought status following the driest spring in 132 years.

The Environment Agency have launched applications for a new round of specialist water assessments supporting farmer groups to collaborate on drought resilience measures and delivering on the government’s commitment to food security.