Drought conditions spread across all of England

Cumbria and Lancashire have moved into "prolonged dry weather" status, joining two other areas: the North East; and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. The remaining 11 Environment Agency regions remain in drought.

The National Drought Group met last week and discussed that the drought will continue into 2023 if there is not average rainfall over autumn and winter. Nearly half of reservoirs were classed as exceptionally low for the time of year in the most recent monthly water situation report for August, with total reservoir stocks at 52% of total capacity on 20 September. September rainfall has had a limited positive impact on water levels, after six months of below average rainfall.

The EA shared that the following drought permits have been recently submitted by water companies:

• South West Water has applied for a drought permit to manage the abstraction of water from the Tamar Lakes in Cornwall;

• Yorkshire Water has applied for drought permits to conserve water by reducing the flows out of the North West group of reservoirs;

• South East Water has applied for a drought permit to manage the abstraction of water from the Ardingly (River Ouse) reservoir;

• Thames Water has applied for a drought permit to manage the abstraction of water from the Farmoor (River Thames) reservoir; and

In addition, the EA has applied to Defra for two drought orders to protect the water environment of the Black Moss and Elslack Reservoirs.

The National Drought Group will next meet on 14 October, when the Water Supply sub-group will report back on progress made with planning to manage any water shortfalls into 2023.