Severe Drought Declared in Southern England
A severe drought has been declared across parts of southern England following the hottest summer on record and critically low reservoir levels.
Quick facts
- Affected areas include Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex, and West Sussex.
- Wimbleball Reservoir in Somerset is at 14.9% capacity.
- Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex is at 19.4% capacity.
Why it matters
The declaration of severe drought highlights the growing strain on UK water infrastructure following an exceptionally hot summer. The focus on reservoir levels suggests that local water security is becoming a primary policy challenge, balancing the needs of the environment against public and commercial consumption requirements.
A severe drought has been declared across parts of southern England as of 15 October 2026, following months of low rainfall and the UK's hottest summer on record. The National Drought Group confirmed the status after a review of water resources, with the Environment Agency identifying specific concerns for reservoirs in the south-east and south-west.
What happened?
The Environment Agency has identified six specific areas facing severe drought conditions: Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex, and West Sussex. The declaration is a proactive measure intended to safeguard public water supplies before any potential disruption occurs. The government has stated that domestic customer supplies remain currently uninterrupted.
| Reservoir | Location | Current Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Wimbleball | Somerset | 14.9% |
| Ardingly | West Sussex | 19.4% |
| Roadford | Devon | 36.8% |
Why this is trending in United Kingdom
The status change is trending due to public concern over water security and the potential for new restrictions on business usage. While the Environment Agency is increasing compliance checks on commercial water withdrawal, Environment Secretary Angela Eagle has yet to approve requests from water companies to ban non-essential usage at venues like golf clubs and commercial car washes.
What is confirmed and what is not
It is confirmed that the Environment Agency has been instructed to prioritise public water supplies, even where this creates a trade-off with existing environmental rules. It is not confirmed when or if the government will approve requests for wider business water restrictions, as the Environment Secretary is currently reviewing these proposals.
Frequently asked questions
Which areas of England are in a severe drought?
Parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex, and West Sussex have been placed under a severe drought declaration by the Environment Agency following a review of current water resources.
Will my home water supply be affected?
The government has stated that customer supplies are currently expected to remain uninterrupted. The declaration of severe drought is intended to ensure proactive steps are taken to safeguard these supplies before any disruption occurs.
Why is the drought considered severe?
The classification follows the UK's hottest summer on record, which led to high demand for water and critically low levels at several major reservoirs, including Ardingly and Wimbleball, which are currently at significantly reduced capacity.
Are there new water restrictions for businesses?
The Environment Agency is currently increasing compliance checks on businesses that withdraw water from natural sources. However, requests from water companies to extend specific restrictions to businesses like golf clubs and car washes are still under government review.
What is the National Drought Group?
The National Drought Group is the body responsible for reviewing water resources and drought conditions across England. Their recent assessment prompted the government to escalate the drought status in the affected southern regions.
Is the drought a result of the summer heat?
Yes, officials have linked the current water supply crisis to high demand caused by the UK's hottest summer on record combined with sustained periods of low rainfall across the affected southern counties.
In this story
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- Last updated
- Oct 15, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Last checked Oct 15, 2026 at 5:45 PM. Trends move fast, so details may change. How we work · How we verify
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