# Southern England reservoirs face critically low levels before Christmas

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/day-zero-where-uk-reservoirs-run-dry-could-happen-before-christmas-ministers-are-secretly-warned/
- Published: 2026-10-26T02:07:19+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T02:17:30+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16238149/Reservoirs-UK-run-dry-Christmas.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Geopolitics, Government, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Reservoir levels in parts of southern England are critically low.
- Water companies say they do not expect the named reservoirs to run dry imminently.
- A nationwide recovery would require rainfall 120 per cent above average for six months.

## Summary

Ministers have been warned that reservoirs in parts of southern England could reach critically low levels within weeks, raising concerns about water supplies before Christmas. Cobra is holding twice-weekly meetings, and officials have prepared plans for a “day zero” scenario in which reservoirs run dry.

Wimbleball in Somerset and Ardingly in West Sussex were reported at 13 and 17 per cent capacity, respectively, though later figures in the article give 14 and 19 per cent. Water companies say they do not expect those reservoirs to run dry imminently, and supplies could be transferred from elsewhere. Officials say rainfall would need to be 120 per cent above average over the next six months for a nationwide recovery; measures include leak repairs, water transfers and daily monitoring, while restricting reservoir releases could put fish at risk.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.