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Water restrictions and drought in England

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-08 12:45 UTC → 2026-10-24 05:12 UTC · added removed

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. The company reported that despite Despite September rainfall, the company noted that groundwater and soil moisture remain below average, noting stating that “significant and prolonged rainfall” is required before restrictions can be reconsidered. London’s reservoir storage had 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. Kieran Ingram, water director at Essex & Suffolk Water, noted that while rainfall The Environment Agency has been welcome, the region is not yet out 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, including Exeter and Lyme Regis. 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 proposed ban targets commercial plant watering, Wimbleball Reservoir is particularly low at 13 per cent capacity. Consequently, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue have implemented voluntary restrictions on vehicle washing, washing and maintaining non-domestic swimming pools. The Car Wash Association training drills. Local leadership has responded criticized South West Water over its failure to this proposal by requesting that “legitimate automated valeting services be treated differently from hand car washes.” 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. The company stated that overflows, suggesting some reported overflows during dry weather may be “false readings caused by debris such as leaves, twigs, and foam” triggering monitoring equipment, or caused by illegal connections to the wastewater network. connections.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-24 05:12 UTC Water restrictions and drought in England
  2. 2026-10-08 12:45 UTC Water restrictions and drought in England
  3. 2026-10-08 05:05 UTC Water restrictions and drought in England
  4. 2026-10-04 01:31 UTC Water restrictions and drought in England
  5. 2026-09-28 11:41 UTC Water restrictions and drought in England

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