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5 clusters · 15 sources · 31 days · First seen · Last updated

Water restrictions and drought in England

Overview

Water companies in England have implemented hosepipe bans to manage drought conditions following a period of significantly low rainfall. Thames Water extended its restrictions into the autumn, affecting regions including Wiltshire, Swindon, and Oxford. Despite September rainfall, the company noted that groundwater and soil moisture remain below average, stating that “significant and prolonged rainfall” is required before restrictions can be reconsidered. London’s reservoir storage has dropped to 59 per cent.

In Essex and Suffolk, a Temporary Use Ban introduced in August resulted in a 7 per cent drop in water usage. Although rainfall has occurred, reservoir levels in Essex remain at approximately 46 per cent capacity. The Environment Agency has indicated that England would require approximately 120 per cent of typical rainfall through April 2027 to officially exit drought conditions.

In the South West, South West Water has applied to Defra for a drought order to restrict non-essential water use by businesses in parts of Devon and West Dorset. Total reservoir levels in the region have dropped to 30 per cent, significantly lower than the 49 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025. The Wimbleball Reservoir is particularly low at 13 per cent capacity. Consequently, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue have implemented voluntary restrictions on vehicle washing and training drills. Local leadership has criticized South West Water over its failure to meet leakage targets and its distribution of shareholder dividends and executive bonuses.

Separately, South West Water has admitted that its environmental performance requires improvement following scrutiny over sewage overflows, suggesting some may be “false readings caused by debris such as leaves, twigs, and foam” or illegal connections.

Entities

South West Water · Wimbleball Reservoir · Environment Agency · Julian Brazil · Car Wash Association

Timeline

  1. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Devon and Somerset face severe drought as water levels drop

    Severe drought in Devon and Somerset has prompted the fire service to restrict water usage and prompted calls for accountability from South West Water as reservoir levels drop significantly.

  2. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    South West Water admits environmental shortcomings and seeks drought order

    South West Water admits environmental performance needs improvement amid sewage overflow concerns and has applied for a drought order that could ban commercial car washing in parts of Devon and Dorset.

  3. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    South West Water seeks business water restrictions amid drought

    South West Water is seeking business water restrictions in Devon and Dorset due to drought, while receiving a permit to manage low levels at Wimbleball Reservoir in Somerset.

  4. [INTERNATIONAL] 5 sources
    Essex & Suffolk Water reports 7% drop in usage amid hosepipe ban

    Essex & Suffolk Water reports a 7% reduction in water use following a Temporary Use Ban, though reservoir levels remain low at 46% capacity due to ongoing drought conditions.

  5. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Thames Water extends hosepipe ban into autumn

    Thames Water is extending its hosepipe ban into autumn due to low groundwater and soil moisture levels following an exceptionally dry spring and summer in the UK.

Sources

braintreeandwithamtimes.co.uk · cotswoldjournal.co.uk · creditoncourier.co.uk · dunmowbroadcast.co.uk · exmouthjournal.co.uk · forbesliberia.com · forecourttrader.co.uk · h2oglobalnews.com · independent.co.uk · lowestoftjournal.co.uk · marshwoodvale.com · saffronwaldenreporter.co.uk · thecherrycreeknews.com · wiltsglosstandard.co.uk · wsfp.co.uk

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history