England must prepare for prolonged drought

(by Karma Loveday)

England needs at least 100% of average rainfall (482mm) to largely recover from drought by the end of March next year.

That came in an update from the Environment Agency to the National Drought Group last week. For context, only two months of 2025 have seen more than 100% so far.

Despite recent rain and some alleviation, the water resource situation in England remains a ‘nationally significant incident’. The Group said England should prepare for an ongoing drought in 2026 and urged all sectors to take steps to increase their resilience for a prolonged drought.

Among the updates shared in the National Drought Group meeting were:   

• September saw 149% of long-term average rainfall across England but, despite Storm Benjamin, October (up to the 28th) has seen 77%.

• There has been a regional divide with rainfall. The north west received 190% in September and the north east 171%. The south east received 126% and the east 100%. 

• The rain has helped the two areas of Cumbria and Lancashire, and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, to move out of drought status into drought recovery. However the position is fragile and with further dry weather, these areas could move back into drought. 

• Average reservoir storage is now 63.3% compared to the average for this time of year of 76%. Ardingly (in West Sussex), and Clatworthy and Wimbleball (both in Somerset), are below 30%.

• South East Water has submitted two Drought Orders to Defra: the first for the River Ouse, and the second for a non-essential use ban which, if implemented, would see water restrictions on some businesses. Both are still being considered by Defra. 

• Yorkshire Water has applied for, and been granted, one Drought Order for the River Ouse and 44 Drought Permits.    

• Severn Trent has applied for a Drought Permit to help refill Carsington Water reservoir. This is under consideration.  

• Temporary Use Bans imposed by Yorkshire Water, Thames, South East Water and Southern Water need to remain in place until their water resources situation recovers.     

• Recent rainfall has helped ease pressure on the agricultural sector but there are concerns heading into winter over feed availability for livestock due to poor grass growth over the spring and summer. 

• Navigation on the Canal & River Trust network is gradually improving.