Drought declared in Yorkshire

Yorkshire has joined the North West in formal drought status. The county received 66% of the long-term average May rainfall and Yorkshire Water said reservoir stocks last week were at 62.3%, significantly below the average (85.5%) for this time of year. Spring 2025 was also Yorkshire’s warmest Spring for mean temperature since records began in 1884.

England has experienced its driest spring since 1893 and three other areas – the North-East, East and West Midlands – continue to  experience prolonged dry weather.

In Wales, Welsh Water has declared ‘Developing Drought’ status for the area served by the Mid and South Ceredigion water network, affecting around 32,000 properties in the county as well as in small parts of North Pembrokeshire and North Carmarthenshire. The area’s Teifi Pools reservoirs saw just 37% of the expected long-term average of rainfall between March and May and levels are now 31% lower than the same time last year. Welsh Water warned that if reservoir levels in the area do not recover following rainfall over the next few weeks, it may need to move to issue temporary use bans.

Companies across the country are encouraging customers to use water mindfully. Against that backdrop, Water UK published research which found people in England and Wales believe their household uses just 62 litres of water per day, roughly the amount used in a five-minute shower. In reality, the average household uses 323 litres per day – five times more. In addition, nine in ten believe their household is using an ‘average’ or ‘below-average’ amount.