Yorkshire has managed to avoid imposing a hosepipe ban this summer, unlike many other parts of England suffering water restrictions after a hot, dry season. However, reservoirs across the region remain critically low at less than half full, well below seasonal norms, creating concern about water supplies heading into 2027. The shortfall matters because Yorkshire Water serves five million customers and must hope for above-average rainfall in autumn and winter to rebuild reserves and prevent potential restrictions next year.

Reservoirs are currently at 47.6% capacity, significantly short of the 68.7% average expected at this time of year, though slightly up from 45.6% last year during an actual hosepipe ban. A wet winter boosted supplies entering spring and summer, but the subsequent dry months—particularly a drier-than-average September—depleted reserves faster than expected. Since last year's drought, Yorkshire Water has increased capacity at service reservoirs, laid almost 300 kilometres of new water mains to reduce leaks, and fitted nearly 500,000 smart meters to detect problems, with a further major network upgrade planned by 2030.