Most areas in England now in or near drought

As the fourth heatwave of 2025 hit the UK last week, the Government declared that the water shortfall borne of persistent hot, dry conditions had become “nationally significant”.

Five areas are now officially in drought: Yorkshire; Cumbria and Lancashire; Greater Manchester Merseyside and Cheshire; East Midlands; and West Midlands.

Six others are experiencing prolonged dry weather (the phase before drought): North East; Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire; East Anglia; Thames; Wessex; and Solent and South Downs. 

Only five areas are ‘normal’: Hertfordshire, London, Kent, Devon and Cornwall.

Reservoirs are 67.7% full across England, compared to an average of 80.5%. The lowest reservoirs are Blithfield (49.1%), Derwent Valley (47.2%), Chew Valley Lake (48.3%) and Blagdon (46.3%). Rainfall in July was 89% of the long-term average for the month across England, and July became the sixth consecutive month of below-average rainfall.

Across the country, 51% of river flows were normal with the rest below normal, notably low or exceptionally low. Two rivers – Wye and Ely Ouse – were the lowest on record for July.

The National Drought Group met and its members reported on their water saving activities. These generally involved escalating existing activities, such as fixing leaks and issuing water saving messaging for water companies, and abstractor engagement for the Environment Agency.

Defra issued a seven-point list of ‘how to save water at home’. Along with common recommendations such as to fix leaky loos, take shorter showers and collect water for garden reuse, its final suggestion – that people should delete old emails and pictures to reduce cooling demand from data centres – drew derision.