Research and analysis

Dry weather and drought in England: 11 to 17 September 2026

Updated 18 September 2026

Applies to England

1. Summary

It has been a drier week across England. However, all areas received some rainfall, ranging from 6mm in the south-east and south-west to 23mm in the north-west. England has received 48% of the long term average (LTA) September rainfall to date. River flows decreased at over two-thirds of the sites we report on, and most sites remain classed as normal or lower for the time of year. Groundwater levels continue their seasonal decline, with levels decreasing at all sites. Reservoir storage has continued to fall to 56.1% nationally, which is nearly 20% lower than where we would expect them to be. There are 13 reservoirs or reservoir groups now less than half full.

There has been no change to Environment Agency Area drought status this week, with 10 areas in drought status and the remainder in prolonged dry weather status.

Public water supply demand has fallen from August peaks, but reservoir storage continues to decline and remains well below average. Temporary use bans (TUBs) remain in place for around 30 million people and water companies continue to progress drought permits and orders. We continue to closely monitor three public water supply reservoirs due to their low levels. These are Wimbleball (South West Water), Clatworthy (Wessex Water) and Ardingly (South East Water). These companies continue to follow their drought plans and are taking action with drought permits submitted by South West Water and South East Water.

The recent rainfall has helped with root vegetable harvest, which is coming to an end, and slightly reduced abstraction restrictions. Concerns remain for the agriculture sector over reservoir refill, winter water availability and impacts on crop yields. Following recent National Drought Group meetings, the Environment Agency and National Farmers Union (NFU) continue to work together on further flexibility with abstractions while balancing the needs of the environment and other abstractors.

The navigation water resources position remains poor despite recent rainfall, with most restrictions still in place, although reduced demand and some local improvements mean widespread canal closures are now unlikely.

Environmental impacts remain widespread, including low flows, water quality issues, algal blooms and fish mortality, although recent rainfall has slowed the rate at which impacts are increasing. Continued impacts include excessive pennywort growth in the Crossens catchment in Lancashire, and fish mortality incidents in Southery Internal Drainage Board drains in Norfolk and at Fonthill Lake in Wiltshire.

The Environment Agency remains focused on its drought response and continues with weekly National Drought Group meetings. The latest National Drought Group focussed on public water supplies and the next meeting on 21 September will focus on environmental impacts.

2. Active temporary use bans (TUBs)

The following companies have implemented TUBs, in all or part of their supply areas:

• Affinity Water – Central and East regions, covering Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, and parts of London and Essex
• Anglian Water – whole company area, excluding Hartlepool
• Bristol Water – whole company area
• Cambridge Water – whole company area
• Essex and Suffolk Water – whole company area
• Southern Water – Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
• South East Water – whole company area
• South West Water – whole company area, excluding Bournemouth
• Thames Water – whole company area
• Wessex Water – whole company area

3. Area drought status

There have been no changes in area drought status this week:

3.1 Areas in drought

• East Anglia
• Hertfordshire and North London
• Thames
• Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
• West Midlands
• Wessex
• Kent and South London
• Solent and South Downs
• East Midlands
• Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire

3.2 Areas in prolonged dry weather

• Northeast
• Yorkshire
• Cumbria and Lancashire
• Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire

3.3 How the stages of drought response work

Each area is reviewing its status depending on the triggers they have outlined in their drought plan.

More details of how we manage drought, including our four stages of drought response, are available in Drought: how it is managed in England.

4. Current water situation

Rainfall totals ranged from 6mm in south-east and south-west England to 23mm in the north-west, and although it was a drier week across England compared to the previous week, all parts of England received some rainfall this week. Rainfall totals for September to date range from 40% of the LTA in north-east England to 63% of the LTA in north-west England. For England as a whole, the rainfall total for September so far is 48% of the LTA.

River flows decreased at over two thirds of the sites we report on when compared to the previous week. Despite this, nearly half (45% of the total) of the sites that we report on remain classed as normal for the time of year and three sites (5%) were classed as above normal. Seventeen sites (31%) were classed as below normal for the time of year while a further 9 sites (16%) were classed as notably low.

The seasonal decline in groundwater levels continued with levels decreasing at all sites. Chalk aquifer sites are all normal or lower for the time of year with 4 sites in the Wessex Downs, Yorkshire Wolds, and North and South Downs, classed as notably low. Tilshead in the Upper Hampshire Avon Chalk is classed as exceptionally low. Groundwater levels in the oolitic limestone of the Cotswolds at Jackaments Bottom are classed as notably low for the time of year.

Despite the recent rainfall, reservoir storage has continued to decline at most reservoirs. Storage for England was 56.1% in the week ending 15 September, which is 19.7% below average for the time of year. Thirteen reservoirs or reservoir groups are less than 50% full. Only 3 reservoirs are classed as normal for the time of year, with all others classed as below normal or lower. This includes 6 classed as exceptionally low for the time of year (Figure 2):

• Ardingly reservoir operated by South East Water
• Clatworthy reservoir operated by Wessex Water
• Clywedog operated by Hafren Dyfrdwy under direction of Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales
• Dove Group operated by Severn Trent Water, where winter refill was impacted by water quality and operational issues
• Hanningfield reservoir operated by Essex and Suffolk Water
• Wimbleball reservoir operated by South West Water

More details are available in the water situation reports for England.

Figure 2: Reservoir stocks at key individual and groups of reservoirs for week ending 15 September 2026 as a percentage of total capacity and classed relative to an analysis of historic values. Note: Classes shown may not necessarily relate to control curves or triggers for drought actions. As well as for public water supply, some reservoirs are drawn down to provide flood storage, river compensation flows or for reservoir safety inspections. In some cases, current reservoir operating rules may differ from historic ones.

Kielder reservoir levels are lower than historic levels due to a new flood alleviation control curve in use. The Dee System, Elan Valley Group, Clywedog and Vyrnwy reservoirs provide water resources to central and north-west England. Teesdale Group is impacted by planned maintenance and safety works. The Dove Group and Lower Thames Group are impacted by a previously planned outage.

5. Public water supply

Water demand has decreased following more seasonal temperatures, continued rainfall and the implementation of TUBs, although it remains above expected levels in some areas.

Public water supply reservoir and groundwater storage continue to decline for several water companies, although for some the rate of decline has slowed. Further significant rainfall is needed to return to normal water resource conditions for many water companies.

Water companies report their drought response using operational drought levels, from drought level (DL) 1 escalating to DL 4. We expect water companies to follow their drought plans and act early to ensure there are sufficient supplies. 

We regularly engage with all water companies. The companies not included below are in business as usual (BAU). Further information on the situation can be found on each water company’s website

5.1 Affinity Water

Affinity Water remains at BAU; its East region has reached the company’s environmental trigger. TUBs remain in place for customers in its Central region and East region, driven by high demand.

5.2 Anglian Water

Anglian Water remains at DL2 in its Fenland and Norfolk, Norwich and Broads water resource zones (WRZ). Ruthamford, Lincolnshire and Suffolk remain at DL1. TUBs remain in place across the whole company area, except for Hartlepool.

5.3 Bristol Water

Bristol Water remains at BAU. TUBs remain in place for all customers to help protect flows on the River Severn, after an application for a drought order by the Environment Agency.

5.4 Cambridge Water

Cambridge Water remains at DL1. TUBs remain in place for all its customers.

5.5 Essex and Suffolk Water

Essex and Suffolk Water remains at DL2 in all WRZs. TUBs remain in place for all its customers. Demand has stabilized.

5.6 Northumbrian Water

Northumbrian Water remains at DL1 in all its WRZs.

5.7 Severn Trent Water

Severn Trent Water has moved into DL2 in its North Staffs WRZ, and its Strategic Grid North WRZ has now moved into DL1.

5.8 Southern Water

Southern Water is at DL1 in its Hampshire and Isle of Wight WRZs. Other WRZs remain at BAU. TUBs are still in force for customers in the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight area. The company applied to the Secretary of State for a drought order on the River Test and a non-essential drought order on 31 July. A public hearing was held on 25 August and additional information submitted on 27 August. We are awaiting the Secretary of State decision.

5.9 South East Water

South East Water remains at DL2 in its Eastbourne and Haywards Heath WRZs. All other WRZs remain at DL1. Company-wide TUBs remain in force. On 28 August, the company applied to the Environment Agency for a drought permit on the River Ouse. A public hearing is planned for 18 September.

5.10 South West Water

South West Water’s Colliford WRZ remains at DL1. Wimbleball and the Isle of Scilly remain at DL2. Other WRZs remain at BAU. TUBs remain in place for all South West Water customers, excluding Bournemouth. Demand on the Isle of Scilly has reduced to average for the time of year. On 16 September, the company applied to the Environment Agency for a drought permit at Wimbleball to reduce the compensation flow. Further information can be found on the company’s website.

5.11 South Staffordshire Water

South Staffordshire Water remains at DL1.

5.12 Thames Water

Thames Water remains at DL2 in all its WRZs. Company-wide TUBs remain in force. The company applied to the Environment Agency for its Farmoor drought permit on 17 September. Further information can be found on the company’s website.

5.13 United Utilities

United Utilities Strategic Resource Zone (SRZ) remains at DL1. Carlisle WRZ moved back to BAU.

5.14 Veolia Water

Veolia Water remains at DL1.

5.15 Wessex Water

Wessex Water has moved into DL2. Reservoir storage continues to decline. Company-wide TUBs remain in force. Demand remains slightly above average for the time of year.

5.16 Yorkshire Water

Yorkshire Water remains at DL1 in its Grid WRZ.

6. Agriculture

Rainfall has eased drought pressures for the agriculture sector and peak irrigation season has now passed, although this pressure is still variable depending on the quantity of rain received. This year’s harvest yields are highly variable and have been dependent on access to water. Cereals in the east and south-east have been substantially impacted by heat and drought over summer and apple harvests are expected to be earlier, with smaller crops and lower yields. To protect rivers from pollution, farmers are advised to assess ground and weather conditions before spreading organic manures, including slurries.

Concerns remain in some areas about the ability to refill reservoirs, with some reservoirs and farm storage reported at 0% to 20% capacity. Heading into the autumn season, concerns are growing about winter water availability.

There are 467 restrictions on abstraction licences. This is a small decrease from last week due to increased river flows in some catchments. Formal section 57 restrictions remain in place in parts of East Anglia until 31 October. 

There is no change to the 1,094 voluntary restrictions in place reducing abstraction by 50%, these are spread across Thames, Wye and Severn catchments. We have received 36 flexible abstraction requests from the agriculture sector to date. The Environment Agency continues to work closely with abstractors and partners regarding the implementation of any formal restrictions and supporting farmers to help improve water resilience.

7.    Navigation

The Canal & River Trust water resource position remains poor. Reservoir-fed canals are particularly affected with reservoir feeds being restricted and compensation flows reduced. Recent rainfall has had a modest impact with some improvements in the more reactive reservoirs in northern canal sections, including the full reopening of Lancaster canal. However, most canals have seen little or no impact. As such, there is no widespread easing to the measures taken to control demands so far. Restrictions are now very unlikely to become closures with recent rainfall and reducing demands.

Environment Agency navigation closures have eased in parts of Yorkshire but remain in Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire and North London, and the lower Thames. In Kent, fish and canoe passes have been closed on the River Medway. There are issues maintaining the published navigation depth at several locations on the Medway. Weed growth remains present in some areas.

8. Environment

Environmental impacts remain widespread but largely localised, driven by low river flows and deteriorating water quality. Impacts include algal and weed growth, which can lead to dissolved oxygen depletion in waterbodies and increased risk of fish deaths and rescues. Recent rainfall has eased pressures in some areas, but with groundwater and river levels remaining low in many catchments there are risks of further impacts without sustained rainfall.

Confirmed incidents caused by drought and dry weather total 349 incidents since the start of 2026. This now exceeds the overall number for 2025 (321). This figure of 349 will likely increase further due to reporting lags.

There have been 34 confirmed algae and 76 confirmed dead fish incidents attributed to drought and dry weather since the start of 2026. These figures are above the 2025 equivalent totals. Reported examples include algal growth in the River Coquet in Northumberland, excessive pennywort growth in the Crossens catchment in Lancashire, and fish mortality incidents in Southery Internal Drainage Board drains in Norfolk and at Fonthill Lake in Wiltshire.

There have been 167 confirmed abstraction/low flow incidents, with highest numbers in Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Hertfordshire and North London, and Thames areas. Confirmed abstraction or low-flow incidents are now higher than equivalent totals from 2025.

The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales applied for River Severn Drought Order (RSDO) on 17 August 2026. An appeals hearing with an independent inspector was held on 3 September 2026. We are awaiting a decision. We continue to work with water companies and Canal & River Trust on the impact this would have on their abstractions.

9. Weather forecast

Friday will begin breezy with the sunny spells and showers persisting and the heaviest rain expected in north-west England before it spreads east later in the day. Saturday will remain breezy with rain expected in central England. It will be dry and settled day for most of the country on Sunday. The settled conditions are expected to continue on Monday and into next week with increasingly warmer temperatures and humid conditions forecast across England with the south likely to see the warmest and driest weather.

10. Drought readiness actions

The Environment Agency has activated its incident response arrangements, with Gold Command structures in place and drought plans being implemented to support early intervention and coordinated action.

Enhanced communications activity being taken includes:

• issuing press notices and holding media briefings
• increasing engagement with stakeholders, local partners and Members of Parliament
• publishing a weekly drought update on GOV.UK

The Environment Agency has strengthened environmental monitoring, increasing both surveillance and operational interventions to identify, assess and mitigate potential environmental impacts as drought conditions develop.

The National Drought Group continues to meet weekly to monitor risks, preparation and impacts of the ongoing drought. The next meeting will be held on 21 September and will focus on the environment.

11. Contact us

Contact drought.national@environment-agency.gov.uk if you have questions about this report.