Research and analysis

Dry weather and drought in England: 26 September to 2 October 2025

Updated 3 October 2025

Applies to England

1. Summary

Although there has been significant rainfall over northern England, the drought is far from over. The week to 30 September was a dry week for much of England, with rainfall totals ranging from 2mm in south-east England, to 18mm in the north-west. Despite the dry end to the month, rainfall totals for September were at or above the long term averages for the month across all regions.

Recent rainfall has brought improvements or stabilisation for some water companies but further significant rainfall over a sustained period is needed to return to normal conditions. The potential for a return to dry conditions means we should continue to manage demand for water and water resources carefully over the autumn. The 4 water companies who have implemented temporary use bans (TUBs), will need to keep these on, until their resource position has returned to normal – this may stretch well into the winter. As soils become wetter, they start to move, and this causes leakage so all water companies need to continue with enhanced leakage management. 

The rain has helped with public water supply reservoir storage, particularly in parts of northern England. Reservoir stocks across England for the period ending 30 September 2025 were 64%, with no overall change since the previous week. Reservoir levels continue to fall at more than three-quarters of reservoirs or reservoir groups. The Pennine stocks are now 51.7% and Yorkshire Water’s stocks stabilised at 46.5%. However, this is not an evenly distributed picture, and their reservoir stocks levels remain below average for the time of year. With the return to drier weather, reservoir levels are likely to drop again. South East Water’s Ardingly reservoir has dropped to very low levels and now has 23% usable storage remaining.

Famers and growers welcomed the September rainfall, but as drought conditions remain there are still concerns in the agriculture sector regarding water availability this winter to fill storage reservoirs for next year’s irrigation season. Drier conditions and low river flows in the south mean that hands off flow restrictions on abstraction licences remain. There are currently 483 restrictions in force on abstraction licences (a slight decrease from last week).

The increase in environmental incidents has continued to slow this week. There are still some reports of dry weather-related incidents, mostly in the east.

Some parts of the Canal & River Trust network are still closed or restricted, mainly in northern and central England, but the rain has improved the water situation. The west side of the Leeds and Liverpool canal and the eastern side of the Rochdale canal are now open due to recovering water levels. The Environment Agency, as the navigational authority for the River Thames, has been managing challenging conditions in the Oxford area and balancing levels for navigation and Thames Water’s abstraction. Low flows continue to impact on navigation on the River Little Ouse.

2. Area drought status

There have been no changes in Environment Agency Area drought status this week (see map).

2.1 Areas in drought

Areas in drought:

• Cumbria & Lancashire (CLA)
• Greater Manchester Merseyside & Cheshire (GMMC)
• Yorkshire (YOR)
• East Midlands (EMD)
• West Midlands (WMD)

2.2 Areas in prolonged dry weather

Areas in Prolonged Dry Weather (PDW):

• North East (NEA)
• Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire (LNA)
• East Anglia (EAN)
• Thames (THM)
• Wessex (WSX)
• Solent and South Downs (SSD)

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

In the week to 30 September 2025, it was a drier week for all of England than the previous week, with rainfall totals ranging from 2mm in south-east England, to 18mm in the north-west. Despite the dry end to the month, rainfall totals for September were at or above the long term average (LTA) for the month across all regions. East England received 100% of LTA rainfall during September, while the north-west received 190%. England as a whole received 149% of LTA rainfall in September.

Soil moisture deficits are now close to average for the time of year across much of England. However, in central and south-east England, recent dry weather has seen soils return to drier than average conditions, and in east England soils remain much drier than would be expected for the time of year.

After a week of drier weather, river flows decreased at almost all reported sites when compared to the previous week. Thirty river flow sites (55%) were classed a normal for the time of year, including almost all sites in north-west, north-east and central England. Just over a third of sites were classed as below normal for the time of year. Two sites were classed as notably low, and in east England, 2 sites were exceptionally low.

In the week ending 30 September, reservoir storage for England was 64%, with no overall change compared to the previous week. Reservoir levels continue to fall at more than three quarters of reservoirs or reservoir groups (84%), with only five seeing an increase in storage. The greatest weekly decrease was 4.7% at Hanningfield. The Pennine stocks are now 51.7% and Yorkshire stocks are now 46.5%, having stabilised following a quick rise in the previous week. Ardingly, Blagdon, Clatworthy and Wimbleball all have storage levels below 40%.  

As expected at this time of year, groundwater levels continue to recede across most sites in England.

Groundwater levels at many sites in chalk aquifers across the country from Yorkshire to the Wessex and South Downs are below normal or lower for the time of year, including 2 sites which are exceptionally low. Meanwhile, levels in the Chilterns, North Downs and across parts of East Anglia are generally in their normal range for the time of year. Sites in limestone aquifers in the east and south-east of England are also below normal or lower.

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

4. Public water supply

Most water companies continue to follow their drought plans. However, some water companies are not implementing all the actions they have identified in their plans. Several water companies have seen water resource improvements or levelling off due to the recent rainfall. However further significant rainfall is needed to return to normal conditions.

Water companies report their drought response using operational drought levels, from drought level 1 escalating to level 4.

4.1 Anglian Water

Anglian Water remains at drought level 1 in the following supply areas:

• Fenland
• Lincolnshire Central
• Norfolk Norwich and the Broads
• Ruthamford Central, North, South, and West
• Essex South

There is no significant change to its water resource position from last week.

4.2 Bristol Water

Bristol Water remains at drought level 2. Reservoir storage has decreased slightly this week. The company is working to get one of its sources back online. 

4.3 Cambridge Water

Cambridge Water remains at drought level 1. There is no significant change to its water resource position from last week.

4.4 Essex and Suffolk Water

Essex and Suffolk Water remains at drought level 1 in its Essex and Northern Central supply areas. No significant change to water resource position from last week.

4.5 Northumbrian Water

Northumbrian Water remains at drought level 1. The company is using Kielder and other sources to provide support to some of its smaller reservoirs. We continue working with the company to understand and review potential actions that may be required.

4.6 SES Water

SES Water remains in drought level 1. There is no significant change to its water resource position from last week.

4.7 Severn Trent Water

Severn Trent Water remains at drought level 1b in its North Staffs and Strategic Grid North supply areas and at drought level 1a in its Central area. Some reservoirs have seen increases since last week.

4.8 Southern Water

Southern Water remains at drought level 2 in its Southampton West and Isle of Wight supply areas and implemented a TUB on 21 July for customers in these areas. The company applied to Defra on 18 July for a drought order to alter its River Test abstraction licence conditions and included an application for a non-essential use drought order. Following an objection to the drought order, a hearing took place on 28 August. The drought order application remains on hold as requested by Southern Water due to recent rainfall increasing river flow on the River Test and may be withdrawn. 

4.9 South East Water

South East Water has moved to drought level 3 in its Sussex zone as of 22 September, due to dropping storage in Ardingly reservoir which is at 30.08% total capacity (from 33.42% last week) and is of concern. South East Water was granted Ardingly winter drought permit on 22 September and are in pre-application for its River Ouse drought order, the application is expected imminently. South East Water are still considering a potential non-essential use drought order, and another supply drought order. They implemented a TUB for customers in Kent and Sussex areas, from the 18 July 2025. The company is closely monitoring its Arlington reservoir at 41.8% (from 43.6% last week). More detail is available here: Water latest – South East Water.

4.10 South West Water

South West Water has now moved back to business as usual in its Colliford supply area. 

4.11 South Staffordshire Water

South Staffordshire Water remains at drought level 2. Blithfield reservoir has increased since last week.

4.12 Thames Water

Thames Water remains at drought level 2 in its Swindon and Oxfordshire supply area (SWOX) and drought level 1 in its London zone. The company implemented a TUB for its SWOX customers on 22 July. 

4.13 United Utilities

United Utilities remains in Enhanced Monitoring and Operations in its Strategic Grid supply area and its Carlisle resource zone. The company’s Pennine reservoirs have stabilised and making small increases in storage.

4.14 Wessex Water

Wessex Water remains at drought level 1b. There is no significant change to its water resource position from last week.

4.15 Yorkshire Water

Yorkshire Water remains in drought level 3. Reservoir storage has improved again slightly this week. Supply reservoirs total storage is up 0.6% to 46.3%, although for comparison the average storage for this time of year is 68%. The expectation is that once drought permits are implemented, this should assist the recovery in levels or slow any further decline. The company implemented a TUB on 11 July. Twenty-one drought permits have been granted, the:

• 2 Wharfe drought permits, and the Ouse drought order were granted on 22 August
• north west group (12 drought permits) have been granted (10 on 5 September and 2 on the 10 September)
• south group (7 drought permits) have been granted (5 September)
• south west group, 7 permits have been granted and 10 are still in determination

The north group (5 permits), is currently in final stages of determination. Pre-application for its River Hull drought permit is to start 29 September. No further permit applications are expected.

More detail is available on Yorkshire Water website.

5. Agriculture

Rainfall in September has helped ease pressure on the agriculture sector but as drought conditions remain, there are still concerns regarding the refill of reservoirs this winter and water availability for the irrigation season next year.

With the 2025 harvest season almost complete, this year has seen a mixed harvest with generally lower and poorer quality crop yields due to the long dry spell. There has been the greatest variation in wheat yield across the country with some farms performing well but generally yields are 6.1% below the 10-year average.

Heading into the autumn, livestock farmers are continuing to face a shortage of forage and rising costs due to poor grass growth this summer and low-quality hay and straw, due to this year dry conditions. This has resulted in many farmers using winter feed early this year and are now buying extra or selling animals to cope. The Addington Fund has launched emergency grants to support those most in need. Temporary rule changes are also being requested to allow early cutting or grazing of forage under agri-environment schemes.

Growers are now making decisions about next year’s crops and with the irrigation season complete, attention is now turning to refilling of winter storage reservoirs. There are concerns about water availability for next year especially if we have a dry autumn and winter. This will affect the ability for farmers to replenish irrigation reservoirs, especially if groundwater and river flows remain low.

It has been a drier week particularly across the south and east and as a result there are currently 483 hands off flow restrictions in force on abstraction licences, where river flows remain low.

We continue to engage and support the agriculture sector into the autumn and winter season. We have received 30 flexible abstraction requests to date. These help abstractors manage with the exceptionally dry weather. We are procuring 11 local resources option screening studies to help improve farmers long term water resources resilience.

Hemlock poisoning has been reported in livestock in Wales this summer. Dry weather and exposed ditches increase the risk of animals foraging toxic plants like Hemlock. We advise that farmers should stay alert to this. We continue to proactively update our drought weather communications, detailing the current drought situation, support available to help farmers improve access to water and preparation for this winter. Our Environment Agency dry weather farming blog and Water Hub webpage contains further information.

6. Energy

There are no known issues with the energy sector.

7. Environment

There was a small increase in the numbers of confirmed environmental incidents caused by drought and dry weather this week; this continues the recent trend in response to the cooler, wetter weather for September. Total numbers for 2025 are now at 265 incidents. There are still a small number of dry weather-related incidents in the east.

Numbers of confirmed (category 1 to 3) abstraction or low flow incidents are similar to corresponding counts from 2018 and 2020 but remain well below 2022 figures. The recent steady trend in numbers of estimated and confirmed (category 1 to 3) abstraction or low flow incidents have continued with only 2 new reports this week.

The confirmed numbers of fish mortality incidents caused by drought and dry weather remain below corresponding counts from previous years. The increase in the number of estimated and confirmed (category 1 to 3) incidents with fish mortality has slowed. Environment Agency Fisheries teams have continued with fish rescues in recent weeks and are monitoring sites regularly.

There have been 86 days of Severn Regulation this year. Following rainfall over the past few weeks river flows at Bewdley have increased and are unlikely to need further support from regulation releases to maintain the minimum prescribed flow.

The Environment Agency has applied for 5 drought orders to protect the environment:

• 2 for Holme Styes reservoir (granted 28 July and 3 September)
• one for Elslack reservoir (submitted on 26 June)
• one for Winterburn reservoir (submitted on 7 August)
• one for Belmont reservoir (submitted on 15 August)

Winterburn and Belmont have been withdrawn as recent rainfall has improved the situation.

8. Navigation

Following rainfall in September the Canal & River Trust have been able to open some sections of canals including the west side of the Leeds and Liverpool canal and the eastern side of the Rochdale canal between Walsden and Sowerby Bridge. With recent rainfall the Winterburn Reservoir has filled very quickly and as a result the drought order for Winterburn has been withdrawn. However, despite the recent rain, overall canal reservoir levels remain low. The Trust continues to monitor the situation and will reopen canals as water levels improve. The latest closures and restrictions are listed here: Notices and stoppages – Canal & River Trust. The Canal & River Trust is still planning for contingency and emergency situations for several canals and has brought forward some winter engineering works whilst parts of the network are closed.

The Environment Agency, as the navigational authority for the River Thames, has been managing challenging conditions in the Oxford area and balancing levels for navigation and Thames Water abstraction at Farmoor. Low flows continue to impact on navigation on the River Little Ouse downstream of Brandon Lock to Hockwold cum Wilton. A navigation advisory notice for the area was issued on 29 September and closed river signs will be installed at Hockwold for navigation.

9. Weather forecast

Friday is expected to start with a brief settled spell, before the first named storm of the season, Storm Amy, brings strong winds and heavy rain to west and north England. Saturday will continue to be windy, with blustery showers and some longer spells of rain, before winds begin to ease on Sunday. Conditions will remain mixed with sunshine and showers into Monday and Tuesday. Further spells of rain are expected as the week progresses, although these are likely to be focussed in north and western parts of England. 

10. Drought readiness actions

In response to the drought and dry weather, the Environment Agency continues to act by:

• operating our Gold command structure for our national incident response
• coordinating closely with water companies to implement statutory drought plans, taking necessary action to safeguard public water supplies
• activating drought plans for those Environment Agency Areas in drought and PDW status
• enhancing abstraction licence compliance checks and issuing hands off flow or level restrictions and warnings to some abstractors in areas experiencing low flows
• monitoring, preparing and responding to incidents caused by low river flows, particularly in those Environment Agency Areas in drought status
• preparing dry weather advice to fishery operators to help protect their waters
• hosting regular national drought meetings

The next National Drought Group meeting is scheduled for 30 October.

11. Contact us

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