Research and analysis

Dry weather and drought in England: 14 to 20 August 2026

Updated 21 August 2026

Applies to England

1. Summary

Despite recent rainfall and cooler weather, conditions remain drier than normal, with below average rainfall observed across all regions. For England as a whole, the rainfall total for August to date is 17% of the long term average (LTA).

Rivers flows responded to the rainfall, however the majority of sites remain classed as below normal or lower for the time of year. A quarter of river sites, predominantly across southern and eastern areas, are classed as exceptionally low.

The seasonal decline of groundwater levels continues, with levels in the chalk generally healthier than levels in the Oolite Limestone aquifers which are exceptionally low in places.

Reservoir storage for England has declined 3.4% this week, down to 62.6% on 18 August. This is below average for the time of year. Seven major reservoirs are classed as having exceptionally low storage.

There has been no change to Environment Agency area drought status this week, with 71% of England by land now in drought.

Water companies continue to face sustained high demand due to the long period of warm weather and reduced rainfall. Affinity Water expanded its temporary use ban (TUB) across its eastern region on 17 August and Wessex Water implemented a company wide TUB on 18 August. Approximately 29 million people now have restrictions on their use of water. 

The agricultural sector is under increasing pressure, with poor crop yields and reduced grass growth affecting livestock farmers. There are reports of agricultural boreholes drying up and farm reservoirs at critically low levels. Over 1,500 abstraction licence restrictions are currently in place, including mandatory section 57 spray irrigation reductions in East Anglia and a growing number of voluntary restrictions across several catchments. Root crop harvesting is expected to be challenging due to exceptionally hard ground conditions.

Environmental impacts are also increasing. Since the start of 2026, 226 drought and dry weather related incidents have been recorded, including:

• low flow and abstraction related impacts
• algal blooms
• fish mortality incidents

Navigation across reservoir fed canals are increasingly affected by low levels, while river navigation routes remain more resilient. Many canals are open for navigation, but an increasing number of closures and restrictions are being reported.

The Environment Agency continues its drought response, including activated incident management arrangements and increased environmental monitoring. The National Drought Group will now meet weekly to coordinate action and monitor risks as drought conditions continue.

2. Active hosepipe 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
• 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 Bristol and 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.

Figure 1 – Environment Agency drought status

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 detail of how we manage drought, including our 4 stages of drought response, is available in Drought: how it is managed in England.

4. Current water situation

It has been wetter than recent weeks, particularly across northern England, although rainfall totals remain below average across all regions. Rainfall totals ranged from 3 mm in south east England to 20 mm in north west England. Rainfall totals for August to date ranged from 5% of the LTA in south east England to 33% in north west England. For England as a whole, the rainfall total for August to date is 17% of the LTA.

River flows increased at more than half of the sites we report on when compared to the previous week. However the majority of sites remain classed as below normal or lower for the time of year. Seven sites (13% of the total) were classed as normal, and one site (2%) was above normal. Nineteen sites (35%) were classed as below normal and a further 14 sites (26%) were notably low. Thirteen sites (24%) located predominantly across eastern, south eastern and south western England were classed as exceptionally low for the time of year.

The seasonal recession of groundwater levels continued at most sites in England. Many chalk sites remain normal for the time of year however some sites in the Wessex Downs, Yorkshire Wolds, and North and South Downs were classed as below normal or notably low. Skirwith in the Carlisle Basin and Eden Valley Sandstone in north west England was below normal for the time of year. In the oolite limestone of the Cotswolds in south east England, levels at Jackaments Bottom remain classed as exceptionally low. 

In the last week, reservoir storage has continued to fall in all reservoirs. Storage for England was 62.6% on 18 August, having fallen 3.4% in a week and is 16.3% below average for the time of year. With the continuing support of river flows in the River Severn, Clywedog saw the greatest decrease of 7.2%. The majority of reservoirs remain classed as below normal or lower, with 7 classed as exceptionally low for the time of year including (Figure 2):

• Clatworthy reservoir operated by Wessex Water
• Clywedog operated by Hafren Dyfrdwy under direction of Environment Agency and National Resources Wales
• Dove Group operated by Severn Trent Water
• Blithfield operated by South Staffordshire Water
• Hanningfield operated by Essex and Suffolk Water
• Grafham operated by Anglian Water
• Wimbleball operated by South West Water

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

Figure 2 – Reservoir stocks at key individual and groups of reservoirs for week ending 18 August 2026 as a percentage of total capacity and classed relative to an analysis of historic values

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. Dove Group and Teesdale Group reservoirs are impacted by planned maintenance and safety works. The Lower Thames Group is impacted by a previously planned outage.

5. Public water supply

Many water companies are continuing to experience significant demand for water, due to the ongoing high temperatures. Combined with below-average rainfall, this has increased pressure on water resources, with reservoir storage, groundwater levels and river flows continuing to decline.

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

We are regularly engaging with all water companies. The companies not included here are in BAU. Further information on the situation can be found on each water company’s website.

5.1 Affinity Water

The company remains at business as usual in terms of its drought levels, however is at its environmental trigger in its east region. TUBs remain in place for customers in its central region. As of Tuesday 18 August, the TUB has been extended to the east region, driven by high demand.  

5.2 Anglian Water

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

5.3 Cambridge Water

The company remains at DL1. TUBs remain in place for all its customers.

5.4 Essex and Suffolk Water

The company remains at DL2 in all WRZs. TUBs remain in place for all its customers.  

5.5 Northumbrian Water

The company remains in DL1 in all its WRZs.  

5.6 Severn Trent Water

The company remains at DL1 in its North Staffs WRZ. Reservoir storage at Tittesworth reservoir continues to decline.  

5.7 Southern Water

The company is at DL1 in its Hampshire and Isle of Wight WRZs. TUBs are still in force for customers in the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight area. The company applied to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for a drought order on the River Test and a non-essential drought order on 31 July. 

5.8 South East Water

The company remains at DL2 in its Eastbourne and Haywards Heath WRZs. All other WRZs remain at DL1. Companywide TUBs remain in force. 

5.9 South West Water

South West Water Wimbleball has moved into DL2. Other zones remain at DL1. Bournemouth WRZ is in BAU. TUBs remain in place for all SSW customers, excluding in Bristol and Bournemouth. Overall demand remains high. The company applied for a drought permit on 20 July.  

5.10 South Staffordshire Water

The company remains at DL1. Reservoir storage at Blithfield reservoir has declined from last week. 

5.11 Thames Water

The company remains at DL2 in all its WRZs. Company-wide TUBs remain in force.

5.12 United Utilities

The company remains at enhanced monitoring and operations (EMO) in its strategic WRZ. Its Carlisle WRZ remains at DL1.

5.13 Wessex Water

The company remains at DL1. Reservoir storage continues to decline. A company-wide TUB was implemented on 18 August.  

5.14 Yorkshire Water

The company remains at DL1 in its Grid WRZ. Reservoir storage continues to decline.

6. Agriculture

Drought conditions continue to cause significant impacts across the agriculture sector. 

Livestock farmers continue to be heavily impacted by poor grass growth, placing increased pressures on winter forage stocks. The loss of mains water supply and pressure incidents reported to the National Farmers Union are increasing and many farmers are reporting boreholes drying up.

Whilst the arable harvest has completed early, focus now turns to lifting of root crops which face challenging conditions due to hard soil. Irrigation restrictions limit availability of water to soften ground. There are 1,562 restrictions on abstraction licences and farm reservoirs remain very low or empty.

Section 57 spray irrigation restrictions have been implemented in parts of East Anglia until 31 October, with a 50% reduction on abstraction affecting 288 spray licences to protect the environment. Fourteen abstractors in the Wensum catchment in Norfolk are now required to cease abstraction completely.

192 voluntary abstraction restrictions have been implemented in East Anglia and 245 in the Thames area. The Wye catchment has asked for 261 voluntary restrictions and the Severn catchment will be asked to abide by 680 restrictions the week commencing 24 August. Voluntary restrictions may be required in other areas such as Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire and Cheshire if the dry weather continues. There are an increasing number of flexible abstraction requests, with 22 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.

With the ground conditions so dry, water does not easily soak into baked and compacted soils, increasing the risk of run off. The Environment Agency is advising farmers to assess ground and weather conditions carefully before spreading organic manures, including slurries, and to comply with the Farming Rules for Water to protect rivers from pollution.

7. Environment

Confirmed incidents caused by drought and dry weather continue to increase, with a total of 226 incidents recorded since the start of 2026. This is similar to this time in 2025 (254). The following areas continue to record relatively high numbers of drought and dry weather incidents in recent weeks:

• Greater Manchester
• Merseyside and Cheshire
• Hertfordshire and North London
• Solent and South Downs
• West Midlands
• Thames
• Kent and South London

There have been 21 confirmed algae and 28 confirmed dead fish incidents attributed to drought and dry weather since the start of 2026. The reported numbers are above this time in 2025 for algae but lower than 2025 for incidents with dead fish, attributed to drought and dry weather. The overall numbers of estimated and confirmed incidents with dead fish is rapidly increasing and is now well above confirmed numbers for August 2025.

To date there has been 125 confirmed abstraction and low flow incidents, with the highest numbers recorded in:

• Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire
• Thames
• West Midlands
• Hertfordshire and North London Areas

The number of confirmed abstraction and low flow incidents is now similar to totals from 2025, although numbers of estimated and confirmed incidents are rapidly increasing. This indicates the final numbers of confirmed incidents may eventually exceed last year. There has also been an increase in watercourse impoundment activity which the Environment Agency is monitoring closely.  

All figures are based on reported incidents, while the number of unreported incidents is potentially higher.

The dry, hot weather this year has resulted in an unprecedented number of wildfires around the country. The Environment Agency is working with the relevant authorities and water companies to support as required.

8. Navigation

The Canal & River Trust water resources position is very low. Several heatwaves have led to a rapid draw down of water supply reservoirs due to high demands on the network. Several reservoirs are operating with reduced storage because of ongoing engineering works, further increasing pressure on water resources.

Reservoir fed canals are most affected, while river navigations remain more resilient. Many canals are open for navigation but there are an increasing number of localised impacts due to low water levels, in particular:

• 28 closures related to water
• 21 restrictions for opening hours and windows of passage
• additional 20 plus closures due to infrastructure or fallen trees

Without rainfall, restrictions will become closures in the coming weeks. All river users are being advised to take extra care when navigating.

The Canal & River Trust have activated a national incident response, supported by regional incident groups to manage impacts and reduce risks. They are carrying out a repairs programme, prioritising key routes for boating and water transfer. The risk of emergency abstraction requests in some areas remains high.

Within the Environment Agency’s navigation remit, Yorkshire have navigation closures in all or sections of all canals. Canal reservoir feeds have been restricted and compensation flows reduced. Stort navigation in Hertfordshire and North London is closed to boat traffic. Low levels are also having impacts on houseboat communities on the lower Thames, boat trips on the River Stour and sometimes stopping navigation altogether. In Kent, fish and canoe passes have been closed on the River Medway, and there are warnings of low flows affecting navigation in Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire. There are several reports of vandalism at locks, impacting navigation and increasing issues with water resources management.

9. Weather forecast

Showery rainfall is expected on Friday, although this should gradually ease through the weekend as a ridge of high-pressure builds, bringing drier conditions and increasing sunny spells. Largely settled weather is expected across England early next week. However, conditions are likely to become more unsettled later in the week as low pressure becomes increasingly influential, bringing showers or longer periods of rainfall to many areas.

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 MPs
• 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 was reconvened on 20 August to monitor risks, preparation and impacts. In response to the ongoing drought and growing pressures on water resources. It is now meeting weekly.

Check the information on staying safe in hot weather.

11. Contact us

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