Drought was declared by the Environment Agency covering northwest England on 21 May, with Yorkshire also declaring drought on 9 June.
Recent rainfall has helped stabilise the situation in some areas but has not reversed the impact of months of dry weather preceding it. Conditions have been warm and dry across most of England since last week and are expected to continue with occasional showers next week following a very warm weekend.
2025 was the driest spring across England since 1893 and drier than the same period in 1976. As of 17 June, average rainfall for England for the month to date was 41mm, which represents 63% of the Long-Term Average (LTA) for England. This ranges from 42% in the east and central England, to 95% in the northwest.
Public water supply reservoir levels across England are at 77% full but some are at historic lows for the time of year. Currently, our main concern this summer relates to the following water companies:
– Yorkshire Water
– United Utilities
– South Staffordshire Water
– Parts of Severn Trent Water
We are seeing the impact of the dry weather on the water resources more broadly and are also closely monitoring the situation of Southern Water, Thames Water and Wessex Water. South East Water has indicated issues with high demand that may require the use of drought measures.
To read the full report please click here: Environment Agency Dry Weather & Drought Briefing