Research and analysis

Dry weather and drought in England: 2 to 9 July 2026

Updated 10 July 2026

Applies to England

1. Summary

The end of June and start of July has been very dry and very hot. In combination with a series of heatwaves, all regions have drier than average soils, with river flows and groundwater levels continuing to decline at nearly all sites. Reservoir storage is at 83%, around 2% less than the long term average (LTA) for the time of year.

Following the introduction of a temporary use ban (TUB) in Kent by South East Water last week, due to high demand impacting network capacity, 4 additional water companies have announced TUBs. Southern Water have announced a TUB in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, enforceable from 10 July. As a result, the relevant parts of the Environment Agency’s Solent and South Downs area are moving to prolonged dry weather status at the same time. In addition, Cambridge Water announced a TUB for their area of supply, to be enforced from 17 July, to help manage demand. Anglian Water have announced a TUB will come into force on 11 July on all customers (apart from those supplied in Hartlepool) and Affinity Water have announced a TUB will come into effect on 17 July for customers in their central supply region..

In the agricultural sector, impacts from the heatwaves are increasingly being observed, with levels in winter storage reservoirs declining rapidly. As a result, more abstraction restrictions have been put in place and demand for irrigation and drinking water for livestock has increased. Cereal harvest has started earlier than expected, but the later sown spring crops have been impacted by the dry spring. Some livestock farmers in East Anglia are reporting issues with the lack of forage.

The Environment Agency is increasing its drought response activities, actively co-ordinating preparedness, with the National Drought Group scheduled to meet monthly through the summer.

2. Area drought status

There has been one change in area drought status this week.

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight part of the Southern and South Downs Area have moved from normal to prolonged dry weather status.

2.1 Areas in drought

No areas are in drought.

2.2 Areas in prolonged dry weather

The areas in prolonged dry weather are:

• Cam and Ely Ouse, North West Norfolk and North Norfolk catchments in the East Anglia Area
• Hampshire and the Isle of Wight part of the Solent and South Downs Area

2.3 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.

3. Current water situation

June ended with an extended period of dry weather for much of England. At the end of the month, England as a whole had received 104% of the LTA rainfall for June. This disguised regional variations, with rainfall for the month ranging from 77% of the LTA in the north-east to 134% in south-east England. July has started with similarly warm and dry conditions for many. After the first 9 days of the month, the wettest parts of the country have received between 5mm and 8mm of rainfall.

With ongoing dry conditions, and very warm temperatures, soil moisture deficits (SMD) have continued to develop quickly across the country. All regions now have drier than average soils for the time of year, with very dry soils in east, south-east and central England. 

River flows continued to decrease at almost all indicator sites. All sites were classed as normal or lower for the time of year. Nine sites were classed as notably low and 7 sites in central, east and north-east England were exceptionally low for the time of year. 

As their usual seasonal recession continues, groundwater levels decreased in all key aquifers. Levels have fallen quickly in limestone aquifers, and in the Cotswolds they were notably low for the time of year. In chalk aquifers, many sites were normal for the time of year following a wet autumn and winter. However, in quicker responding chalk aquifers in Wessex and Yorkshire, sites were below normal or notably low. 

Reservoir storage for England in the week ending 7 July was 82.9%, which is slightly below the LTA for the time of year. As heatwave conditions continue for many parts of central and southern England we expect to see the impact in storage in coming weeks.

Five reservoirs were classed as notably low for the time of year, including Blagdon reservoir operated by Bristol Water and Wimbleball reservoir operated by South West Water. The Dove group, which is operated by Severn Trent Water, was also notably low as the impact of operational and water quality issues on winter refill continues to be felt. Grafham (Anglian Water) and Hanningfield (Essex and Suffolk Water) were both also notably low.

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

4. Public water supply

Hot weather this week including widespread temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, and a continuing lack of rainfall, has led to some water companies experiencing significant peak demands for water. 

Some parts of the country have received lower than average rainfall this spring. With record spring temperatures, this has resulted in a greater than normal reduction in reservoir and groundwater storage and river flows for a number of water companies. However, many companies are still currently operating in business as usual (BAU).

Water companies report their drought response using operational drought levels, from drought level 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. Companies not included in this section are in BAU. 

4.1 Affinity Water

Affinity Water have announced a TUB on 10 July for customers in their central region, covering Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey and parts of London. This is due to high demand for water. The TUB will be enforced from 17 July. Further information is at Affinity Water’s website.

4.2 Anglian Water

Anglian Water has moved into drought level 2 in its Fenland water resource zone (WRZ). It remains at drought level 1 in its Norfolk Norwich and the Broads WRZ. Driven by the high demand for water, a TUB has been announced 10 July for all Anglian Water customers apart from those in its Hartlepool supply area. The TUB will be enforced from 11 July. Further information is at Anglian Water’s website.

4.3 Cambridge Water

Cambridge Water is now at drought level 1. Driven by high demand for water, a TUB was advertised on the 9 July for all Cambridge Water customers. The TUB will be enforced from 17 July. Further information is at Cambridge Water’s website.

4.4 Essex and Suffolk Water

Essex and Suffolk Water is now at drought level 1 in its Suffolk, Hartismere, Blyth and Northern Central WRZs. This is due to low river flows and increased water demand driven by the hot weather.

4.5 Severn Trent Water

Severn Trent Water is now at drought level 1 in its North Staffs WRZ. This is due to increased water demand driven by the hot weather and storage levels in its Tittesworth reservoir.

4.6 Southern Water

Southern Water are enforcing a TUB from 10 July for customers in its Hampshire and the Isle of Wight areas.

4.7 South East Water

South East Water remain at drought level 1 in its Haywards Heath and Eastbourne WRZs. Storage at Arlington and Ardingly reservoirs has declined over recent weeks. A TUB remains in place for customers in Kent, further information is at South East Water’s website.

4.8 Wessex Water

Wessex Water is now at drought level 1a, due to a decline in groundwater levels.

4.9 Yorkshire Water

Yorkshire Water remains at drought level 1 in its Grid WRZ. Reservoir storage has declined from last week driven by high demand and low rainfall.

5. Agriculture

The recent heatwaves and dry conditions continue to impact the agriculture sector. Due to the prolonged dry conditions and high temperatures, some crops have ripened much earlier than usual, and farmers have started harvesting particularly with winter barley. The harvest season has started unusually early and a few days earlier than in 2025. Some crops have suffered from heat stress which may impact on yields later in the year.

River flows are declining in response to the dry conditions and consequently the number of hands-off flow restrictions has increased on surface water abstractions, where flows are low. This week there are 729 hands off flow restrictions in force on abstraction licences.

This week’s heatwave will continue to increase demands on farm reservoirs and abstraction licences for irrigation and drinking water for livestock. There has already been a rapid decline in storage of irrigation reservoirs over spring. Should there be a continuation of the dry weather for the rest of the summer, there is an increasing risk to supplies and resilience for the rest of the year.

Our spray irrigation prospects report highlights the support available to abstractors to help increase resilience this summer and in the long term. We continue to engage and communicate with farmers locally around the current dry weather conditions.

6. Navigation

Overall, the water resource position for the Canal & River Trust remains normal for the time of year. Most canals are open for navigation but there are increasing numbers of localised restrictions and closures across the network, mainly across northern and central parts of the country. The majority of supply reservoirs are in a healthy position. Engineering work is impacting on some reservoir holdings and there is a greater risk of supply issues to canals that are affected by these works.

7. Weather forecast

Conditions will stay warm and dry for many on Friday and into the weekend. As the weekend progresses, an easterly breeze will bring cloud and fresher temperatures to the east and push the warmest temperatures west.

Next week (13 to 22 July) high pressure is likely to remain to the north of the UK, allowing settled conditions to continue, but with a risk of thunderstorms spreading into the south at times. Towards the end of the period, the chance of low-pressure increases, potentially bringing spells of wet and windy weather.

Further ahead (23 July to 6 August) signals become mixed, with low pressure and spells of unsettled weather becoming more likely. The chance of thunderstorms will remain. In the south and south-east dry periods will continue. Temperatures are expected to remain warm, and spells of hot weather remain possible.

8. Drought readiness actions

The Environment Agency is well prepared, is actively coordinating across government and sectors, and is acting on lessons from 2022 and 2025. The National Drought Group was reconvened on 18 June to monitor risks, preparation and impacts. It will meet monthly through the summer.

9. Contact us

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