Severe drought is declared in parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex
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The Government has declared severe drought in parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex, prompting stronger monitoring and drought planning to protect public water supplies. The new measures follow concerns about low reservoir levels after an exceptionally dry spring and summer.
The South East and South West had their driest April to September for more than a century, and millions of people remain under hosepipe bans. Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex is at 19 per cent capacity and Wimbleball Reservoir in Somerset at 16 per cent, compared with an expected 75 per cent at this time of year. Water companies must monitor reservoir and river levels daily; the Environment Agency has also approved a permit allowing South East Water to reduce the water Ardingly releases to the River Ouse by three million litres a day.
- Severe drought declared across parts of six counties.
- Ardingly and Wimbleball reservoirs are at 19% and 16% capacity.
- Water companies face tighter monitoring and planning measures.
New here? Start with this
Drought is declared when unusually low rainfall leaves rivers, reservoirs and groundwater short of water. A severe drought means water supplies need closer management and water companies must prepare measures to protect homes and businesses.
Water companies supply public water and manage reservoirs, while the Government sets the drought status. Restrictions such as hosepipe bans are used to reduce demand; if shortages worsen, companies may consider further steps to safeguard essential supplies.
Low water levels can also affect farming, wildlife and river habitats. The effects depend on how much rain falls and how quickly rivers, reservoirs and underground water sources recover.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Declaring severe drought can prompt water companies and authorities to plan more urgently to protect essential public supplies, especially after exceptionally dry conditions and low reservoir levels. Restrictions and stronger preparation may be justified to reduce demand now and lower the risk of shortages, including standpipes, later.
The case against
A formal drought declaration and restrictions impose real costs and inconvenience on households and businesses, so they should be proportionate to the evidence and accompanied by clear plans to secure supply. Critics could argue that limited demand reductions show restrictions alone may not be enough, and that authorities should also explain what further measures water companies will take to manage the shortfall.
Full account
Parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex have been declared to be in severe drought, following a meeting of the National Drought Group on England’s water resources. The declaration comes after the south-east and south-west recorded their driest April-to-September period in more than a century. Millions of people are already subject to hosepipe restrictions after a record-breaking hot summer.
The Environment Agency describes severe drought as a situation in which water shortages substantially affect people’s daily lives and the natural environment, with potentially lasting consequences for farming, communities and the economy. Officials say public supplies are not expected to be interrupted, but the declaration is intended to prompt action before shortages cause disruption. Water companies have been told to strengthen their drought planning, monitor river and reservoir levels daily, and increase checks on water quality. The Environment Agency will also step up inspections of businesses that take water from rivers and other sources to ensure they stay within their permitted limits.
Low reservoir storage is a key concern. Ardingly reservoir in West Sussex, which supplies around 95,000 properties near Haywards Heath and Uckfield, is reported to be 19% full. Wimbleball in Somerset is also under pressure: one report puts it at 16% capacity and says levels would normally be around 75% at this point in the year. Other reservoirs in Devon and Cornwall are also flagged as a concern. The Environment Agency has been instructed to give priority to protecting public water supplies when drought creates unavoidable conflicts with environmental rules, a move that could allow more water to be retained in depleted reservoirs.
Environment Secretary Angela Eagle said the country had not faced drought of this severity for decades and urged people to use water carefully. The Government also pointed to plans for nine new major reservoirs as part of a longer-term overhaul of water infrastructure. Meanwhile, three water companies—South East Water, South West Water and Southern Water—have sought permission to restrict non-essential water use by businesses, potentially including golf clubs, private schools and commercial car washes. The reports say those requests had not yet been approved.
Where outlets differ
The first report focuses on the Government’s declaration, emergency monitoring and longer-term plans for water infrastructure. The second gives more detail on the reservoir figures and reports that the Environment Secretary had not approved three companies’ requests for non-essential use bans on businesses.
The reports describe Wimbleball’s supply area differently: the first refers to about 300,000 customers served by South West Water and Wessex Water across East and North Devon, Somerset and West Dorset; the second gives a more specific split between South West Water customers in several counties and Wessex Water customers in West Somerset, and reports storage at 16%.
The second report attributes the dry conditions to the climate crisis and highlights the potential for lower river flows to increase water-quality and pollution risks. Those points are not included in the first report.
More coverage
- The Guardian — Severe drought declared in six areas of England as public water supplies under threat