East Anglia water situation: July 2026 summary
Updated 12 August 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/water-situation-local-area-reports/east-anglia-water-situation-july-2026-summary
1. Summary
July was the driest month on record since 1871 for the majority of catchments in East Anglia. The average cumulative rainfall was 3mm with two catchments, North and South Essex receiving 1mm or less of cumulative rainfall for the month. The lack of rainfall has seen soil moisture deficit (SMD) increase by 5mm throughout July. River flows have also been impacted by the exceptionally low rainfall. Most sites are below normal, notably low or exceptionally low for the time of year. Groundwater levels have continued to decline in the majority of reporting sites for July 2026. Most sites are either below normal, notably low or exceptionally low for the time of year. Seven sites are recording as normal for the time of year, with Hindolveston being the only site recording exceptionally low. All reservoirs ended the month with levels below their respective target curves for the time of year with levels between 65% and 76% of the full storage capacity.
2. Rainfall
East Anglia received exceptionally low rainfall in July 2026 and was the driest July on record since 1871 for the majority of our catchments. July 2026 rainfall totals ranged from 1% to 9% of the long term average (LTA) for the month. The average rainfall across East Anglia for July 2026 was 3mm, which is 6% of the historic LTA. The lowest rainfall totals were recorded in North and South Essex with 1mm or less cumulative rainfall in July 2026. The highest rainfall totals were recorded in Broadland Rivers and Little Ouse and Lark, with roughly 5mm cumulative rainfall in July 2026. Over the past 3 months there has been exceptionally low rainfall in most of the catchments with 3 catchments, Upper Bedford Ouse, Lower Bedford Ouse and Little Ouse and Lark receiving notably low rainfall. Over the past 6 months, rainfall totals ranged from 55% to 75% of the LTA with the Upper Bedford Ouse being the only catchment to receive below normal rainfall. All other catchments have received notably low or exceptionally low rainfall for the past 6 months.
3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge
The soil moisture deficit (SMD) for East Anglia has increased during July 2026 from 118mm at the end of June to 123mm at the end of July. This is a 5mm deficit within the month of July. Roughly half of East Anglia catchments ended the month with soil moisture deficits that ranged between 6mm to 25mm below the LTA deficits for the month. The other half of the catchments ended the month with 26mm to 50mm below the LTA deficits for the month.
4. River flows
Following exceptionally low rainfall across all of East Anglia, the July 2026 monthly mean flow at all of the sites are below normal, notably low or exceptionally low for the time of year. Most of the exceptionally low river flow sites were situated within the chalk aquifer apart from the Bure, Colne and Tove. There have been 2 sites which have reached a record low mean flow, Northwold on the River Wissey and Ingworth on the River Bure. Northwold on the river Wissey mean flow for July was 0.27 cumecs which is 19% of the LTA and Ingworth on the River Bure mean flow for July was 0.45 cumecs which is 56% of the LTA.
5. Groundwater levels
Groundwater levels have continued to decline in the majority of reporting sites for which there is data available for July 2026. Most sites are either below normal, notably low or exceptionally low for the time of year. Seven sites recorded groundwater levels categorised as normal for the time of year, with Hindolveston being the only site recording exceptionally low for this time of year.
6. Reservoir stocks
All public water supply reservoirs have seen a decrease in storage for July 2026. At the end of the month, levels ranged from 65% to 76% of the full storage capacity. All reservoirs ended the month with levels below their respective target curves for the time of year.
Author: Hydrology Team, hydrology-ean-and-lna@environment-agency.gov.uk
All data are provisional and may be subject to revision. The views expressed in this document are not necessarily those of the Environment Agency. Its officers, servants or agents accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from the interpretation or use of the information, or reliance upon views contained in this report.