Drought and water availability

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Services

• Water resources licence application forms

  Use these forms to apply for a water resources licence.

• Form WR80: application for a drought permit

  Application form for a drought permit for water companies in England and Wales.

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Guidance and regulation

• Check if you need a licence to abstract water
  • Detailed guide
  • 30 April 2025
  • Environment Agency
• Apply for a water abstraction or impounding licence
  • Detailed guide
  • 30 April 2025
  • Environment Agency
• Get advice before you apply for a water abstraction or impounding licence
  • Detailed guide
  • 30 September 2025
  • Environment Agency
• Check if you need a licence to impound water
  • Detailed guide
  • 25 June 2025
  • Environment Agency
• Trade water abstraction rights
  • Detailed guide
  • 20 March 2024
  • Environment Agency

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News and communications

• Drought likely to continue into 2026 due to record dry weather
  • 31 October 2025
  • Environment Agency and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
  • Press release
• Environment Agency issue six drought permits to Yorkshire Water
  • 17 October 2025
  • Environment Agency
  • Press release
• Drought declared in parts of Sussex by Environment Agency
  • 10 October 2025
  • Environment Agency
  • Press release
• Environment Agency issue 17 drought permits to Yorkshire Water
  • 7 October 2025
  • Environment Agency
  • Press release
• Water saving plans to reduce bills and unblock new homes
  • 23 September 2025
  • Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
  • Press release

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Research and statistics

• Dry weather and drought in England: summary reports
  • 3 November 2025
  • Environment Agency
  • Research
• Rainfall and river flow: weekly reports for England
  • 30 October 2025
  • Environment Agency
  • Research
• Water situation: area monthly reports for England
  • 23 October 2025
  • Environment Agency
  • Research
• Water situation: national monthly reports for England 2025
  • 13 October 2025
  • Environment Agency
  • Research
• Review of the research and scientific understanding of drought
  • 30 July 2025
  • Environment Agency
  • Research

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Policy papers and consultations

• Water resources planning guideline update
  • 13 October 2025
  • Environment Agency
  • Open consultation
  • Closing date 05 December 2025
• Drought: how it is managed in England – proposed updated response framework
  • 3 April 2025
  • Environment Agency
  • Consultation outcome
  • Date closed 10 January 2025
• National Framework for Water Resources 2025: water for growth, nature and a resilient future
  • 20 October 2025
  • Environment Agency
  • Policy paper
• Desalination for public water supply: Environment Agency position statement
  • 8 October 2025
  • Environment Agency
  • Policy paper
• Drought: how it is managed in England
  • 23 September 2025
  • Environment Agency
  • Policy paper

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Organisations

• Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
• Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
• Government Actuary's Department
• Independent Water Commission

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• Environment Agency
• Natural England
• Accelerated Capability Environment