Drought looms for more of England

More areas in England are likely to join the five already in drought by declaring drought status over the coming weeks, the National Drought Group (NDG) has warned.

Despite recent wet weather, groundwater and reservoir levels across England have continued to recede; August’s rainfall was just 42% of its long-term average and the summer has been declared the hottest since records began in 1884. Reservoirs fell by 1.4% in the week to 15 September and are now 56.1% full on average across England; the average for this time of year is 82.8%. The lowest reservoirs are the Pennines group (29%), Yorkshire stocks (30.3%) and Ardingly (34.1%).

The impact of the heat and dryness of 2025 continues to have far-reaching impacts beyond the industry, including: 

• 3,000 hectares of Sites of Special Scientific Interest land has been destroyed by wildfire. 

• 400 miles, approximately 20% of the Canal & River Trust network, is closed because of low water levels, concentrated mainly but not exclusively across northern and central England.

• The dry weather has seen an early harvest season with generally lower and poorer quality crop yields.

• Lower water levels, and a lack of rainfall to top up spawning pools, are significantly impacting the breeding success of species such as natterjack toads and Atlantic salmon. Multiple fish rescues have been needed. Garden animals - including hedgehogs and birds - are struggling with dehydration and a lack of insects to eat because of the dry soils. Wetland birds are facing decline because of a loss of wetland and open water habitat in drought.

The NDG shared that it will take a wet autumn and winter to reverse the impacts of seven continuous months of below average rainfall. This means flooding during a drought is possible, including flash floods as dry soils struggle to soak up intense downpours.

NDG members – which include the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, the National Farmers’ Union, Canal & River Trust, anglers, and conservation experts – also set out the steps they are taking to mitigate the situation.

• Welsh Water has confirmed it will not be imposing any hosepipe bans this year, after its Mid and South Ceredigion water zone returned to normal status, and following accelerated leak repair, water transfer and customer water saving activities. Natural Resources Wales has classified most of Wales as being in ‘environmental drought'.