Research and analysis

Dry weather and drought in England: 2 to 8 October 2026

Updated 9 October 2026

Applies to England

1. Summary

It was another relatively dry week across England, although rainfall totals increased compared with the previous week in most regions. River flows increased at just over half of the sites we report on, but all sites remained classed as normal or lower for the time of year. Groundwater levels continued their expected seasonal decline, although two sites are classed as exceptionally low. Reservoir storage continued to fall at most reservoirs or reservoir groups, with England storage at 54%, 21% below average for the time of year. Nineteen reservoirs or reservoir groups are now less than 50% full, with 8 classed as exceptionally low.

Yorkshire area will move to drought on 9 October. There will be 11 areas in drought status and the remainder in prolonged dry weather status.

Water demand is relatively stable due to cooler temperatures and the implementation of temporary use bans (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. The TUBs from last week remain, however South East Water have removed exemptions on their TUB meaning more people are impacted. Water companies continue to progress drought permits and orders. Public water supply concerns are currently focused around Wimbleball reservoir in the south-west and Ardingly reservoir in the south-east.

Following the end of the irrigation season, attention for the agriculture sector turns to building resilience over the winter, and with drought conditions continuing, there are increasing concerns for the ability for abstractors to refill storage reservoirs over the winter. The Environment Agency released an updated regulatory position statement on 1 October which will allow existing abstraction licence holders to take water outside of their authorised abstraction period for filling water storage reservoirs subject to specified conditions.

The Canal & River Trust water resource position remains poor. There have been some improvements in more reactive reservoirs in northern canal sections and a reduction in the number of canal restrictions and closures, but overall, most canals have seen no significant recovery.

Environmental impacts, including low flows, water quality issues, algal blooms and fish mortality, continue to decrease with the cooler weather. Confirmed incidents so far in 2026 now exceed totals for 2022 and 2025.

The Environment Agency remains focused on its drought response and continues to hold regular National Drought Group meetings. The next scheduled meeting is on 12 October and the following will be on 19 October.

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

The Water Industry Act 1991 incorporates legislation which makes provision for another water undertaker to supply sites within an existing water undertaker’s area. Where an alternative undertaker is appointed, a New Appointment and Variation (NAV) is made by Ofwat. Companies operating as a NAV have the same legal duties and responsibilities as other water companies to produce drought plans. NAVs can have their own sources of supply but are primarily supplied by bulk supply agreements with the water undertaker in the area. Whilst this is the first week that NAV TUBs are included within this briefing, the TUBs themselves were introduced at the same time as their respective incumbent companies as follows:

• Leaf Water – in areas supplied by South East Water, Essex and Suffolk Water, and Cambridge Water
• Albion Water – in areas supplied by Thames Water
• Leep Water – in areas supplied by South East Water, Southern Water, South West Water, Thames Water, Wessex Water, Anglian Water, Affinity Water, Bristol Water, and Essex and Suffolk Water
• Independent Water Networks – in areas supplied by South East Water, Southern Water, South West Water, Thames Water, Wessex Water, Anglian Water, Affinity Water, Bristol Water, Cambridge Water, and Essex and Suffolk Water
• Last Mile Water – in areas supplied by South East Water, Southern Water, South West Water, Anglian Water, Affinity Water, Thames Water, Essex and Suffolk Water, Wessex Water and Bristol Water
• MUA – in areas supplied by Affinity Water and Anglian Water
• ESP – in areas supplied by Bristol Water, Wessex Water, Thames Water, South East Water, Affinity Water and Anglian Water
• Matrix – in areas supplied by Thames Water

Further information can be found on each company’s website.

3. Area drought status

Yorkshire area will move to drought on 9 October 2026.

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
• Yorkshire (from 9 October)

3.2 Areas in prolonged dry weather

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

3.3 How the stages of drought response work

Each area reviews 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 was another relatively dry week across England, although rainfall totals increased in comparison with last week, except in the south-west which received a similar total amount of rainfall. Rainfall totals ranged from 5mm in east England to 24mm in the north-west. Rainfall totals for October to date range from 6% of the long-term average (LTA) in east and south-east England to 16% in the north-west and north-east. England as a whole has received 10% of the October LTA to date.

River flows increased at just over half of the sites we report on when compared to the previous week, and all sites were classed as normal or lower for the time of year. Eleven sites (20% of the total) were classed as normal, and 18 sites (33%) were classed as below normal. Nineteen sites (35%), found across England, were classed as notably low. Seven sites (13%) across England were classed as exceptionally low, from the River Derwent in the north-east, to the Rivers Yare and Ely Ouse in east England, and to the River Tone and Hampshire Avon catchments in south-west England.

Groundwater levels continue their expected seasonal decline at many sites, with groundwater status categories largely unchanged from the previous week. Chalk aquifer sites are all normal or lower for the time of year, with a number classed as notably or exceptionally low. Tilshead in the upper Hampshire Avon Chalk and Chipstead in the Epsom North Downs Chalk are classed as exceptionally low. In the oolitic limestone of the Cotswolds, groundwater levels at Jackaments Bottom are classed as notably low.

Four reservoirs recorded an increase in storage in the week ending 6 October 2026, whilst all others decline. Overall, England storage was 54%, having fallen by 1.3%, and is now 21% below average for the time of year. Nineteen reservoirs groups are now less than 50% full, and all except 2 are classed as below normal or lower for the time of year. Eight reservoirs or reservoir groups are now classed as exceptionally low (Figure 2):

• Abberton reservoir operated by Essex and Suffolk Water
• Ardingly reservoir operated by South East Water
• Clatworthy reservoir operated by Wessex Water
• Colliford Reservoir operated by South West Water
• 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
• Pennines Group operated by United Utilities Water
• Wimbleball reservoir 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 06 October 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.

5. Public water supply

Water demand is relatively stable as a result of cooler temperatures and the implementation of TUBs, although it remains above expected levels in some areas. The last week has been dry so reservoir levels continue to be a concern.

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 DL4. 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 business as usual (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 (WRZs). 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 in DL1. 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.

5.6 Northumbrian Water

Northumbrian Water remains at DL1 in all its WRZs.

5.7 Severn Trent Water

Severn Trent Water remains at DL2 in its North Staffs WRZ and in DL1 in its Strategic Grid North WRZ.

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

The company is in DL3 in its Eastbourne and Haywards Heath WRZs. All other WRZs remain at DL1. Company-wide TUBs remain in force. The Environment Agency granted SEW’s River Ouse (Ardingly reservoir) drought permit on 29 September. A non essential use ban drought order application was submitted on 2 October.

5.10 South West Water

South West Water’s Colliford WRZ and Roadford WRZ remain at DL1, Isles of Scilly remains in DL2. Wimbleball remains at DL3. TUBs remain in place for all South West Waters customers, excluding Bournemouth. On 2 October, a drought permit was issued at Wimbleball to reduce the compensation flow; further information can be found on the company’s website. An application for a non essential use ban drought order was submitted on 6 October.

5.11 South Staffordshire Water

South Staffordshire Water remains at DL2.

5.12 Thames Water

Thames Water remains at DL2 in all its WRZs. Company-wide TUBs remain in force. The Environment Agency granted the company’s Farmoor drought permit on 29 September

5.13 United Utilities

United Utilities Strategic Resource Zone (SRZ) remains at DL1. Carlisle WRZ remains in BAU.

5.14 Veolia Water

Veolia Water remains in DL2. No TUBs are in place.

5.15 Wessex Water

Wessex Water has moved to DL3. Reservoir storage continues to decline. Company-wide TUBs remain in force.

5.16 Yorkshire Water

Yorkshire Water remains at DL1 in its Grid WRZ.

6. Agriculture

Following the end of the irrigation season, attention for the agriculture sector turns to building resilience over the winter, and with drought conditions continuing, there are increasing concerns for the ability for abstractors to refill storage reservoirs over the winter.

Concerns remain in some areas about the ability to refill storage reservoirs over the winter, with some reservoirs reported at 0% to 20% capacity. To support the sector to maximise opportunities to refill storage reservoirs over the winter, we released a regulatory position statement on 1 October. This will allow existing abstraction licence holders to take water outside of their authorised abstraction period. This is for the purpose of filling water storage reservoirs for subsequent use in spray or trickle irrigation. To read the RPS in full, see Abstraction outside the authorised period for filling water storage reservoirs: RPS 382.

Despite recent rainfall, many rivers remain below normal for the time of year and consequently some licence restrictions remain in force to protect the environment. There are currently 536 restrictions on abstraction licences. This is a decrease from last week (767) due to recent rainfall. Formal section 57 restrictions remain in place in parts of East Anglia until 31 October. There are 1,383 voluntary restrictions in place reducing abstraction by 50%. Restrictions are spread across Thames, Wye and Severn catchments.

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. We have received 42 flexible abstraction requests from the agriculture sector to date.

To protect rivers from pollution, farmers are advised to assess ground and weather conditions before spreading organic manures, including slurries.

7. Environment

The overall risk to the environment is decreasing, with numbers of confirmed incidents caused by drought and dry weather slowing in recent weeks in response to cooler and wetter conditions. However, the total number of 396 incidents recorded since the start of 2026 now exceeds the overall number for 2025 (380) and 2022 (380). Confirmed 2026 incidents will likely increase further due to reporting lags.

There have been 39 confirmed algae and 96 confirmed dead fish incidents attributed to drought and dry weather since the start of 2026. These figures are above the equivalent totals for 2025. A blue-green algae incident continues to affect a 10km stretch of the Lower Thames including the Ham and Kingston bathing water. Algae levels are now decreasing, and the Environment Agency is monitoring the need to remove staunch boards from weirs in line with flood risk. A warm autumn with a heavy leaf drop over a short period of time could cause some water quality issues for several waterbodies into November.

There have been 185 confirmed abstraction or low flow incidents since the start of 2026, which is higher than the equivalent total from 2025. Highest numbers are reported in Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, East Anglia, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire and North London, and Thames areas.

The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales applied for the River Severn Drought Order (RSDO) on 17 August 2026. An appeals hearing with an independent inspector was held on 3 September 2026. The RSDO has been put on hold due to improving levels in the Clywedog reservoir.

8. Navigation

The Canal & River Trust water resource position remains poor despite the recent rainfall. There have been some improvements in more reactive reservoirs in northern canal sections and a reduction in the number of canal restrictions and closures, but overall, most canals have seen no significant recovery. Several lock flights on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal have restricted operating hours, but the canal is otherwise open to navigation.

Reservoir-fed canals are particularly affected, with reservoir feeds being restricted and compensation flows reduced. Restrictions are now very unlikely to become closures with recent rainfall and reducing demands. The 14-day movement suspension has been lifted since 1 October and the Canal & River Trust is continuing its drought response and winter preparedness.

Yorkshire navigation closures for low levels has been eased and within the Herts and North London area, some navigations have been closed to boat traffic.

Within Environment Agency navigation, current drought related closures remain in place across the River Thames. Some boating activities will be mainly limited to rowing events and from 1 October, published Lock and Weir Keeper assisted passage and lock operating hours are in force. Locks subject to drought restrictions will be available for navigation each day between certain times. This will ensure there is sufficient time to implement and remove the restrictions safely at the beginning and end of each day. Weed growth remains present in some areas.

9. Weather forecast

Friday will bring a mixture of sunshine and blustery showers, with slightly warmer temperatures to be expected. These temperatures will drop slightly moving into the weekend, with showers continuing on Saturday but drier conditions expected on Sunday. Conditions remain changeable on Monday and Tuesday with occasional bands of rain and strong winds expected in the north of England amongst some brighter and more showery conditions.

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 continues to meet regularly to monitor risks, preparation and impacts of the ongoing drought. The next scheduled meeting is on 12 October and the following will be on 19 October.

11. Contact us

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