Drought declared across 71% of England as 45 MILLION people urged to save water by any means necessary

Most of England is now in drought affecting around 45 million people. It was revealed on Monday that a massive 71.3 per cent of England is now in drought as we head for the fifth record-breaking heatwave of the year. The National Drought Group held a meeting today after the National Farmers Union warned that continuing dry weather could lead to some food shortages. Farmers reported their earliest harvests in 20 years, with reduced yields. The group, made up of Government ministers, water companies, regulators and agricultural bodies, revealed almost three-quarters of England is now in drought and warned conditions were "worsening' and there would be "long-lasting impacts on our environment". They said all regions of the country are now experiencing pressure on their water resources because of the extreme dry weather-and high demand. The drought is now affecting agriculture, public supplies, navigation, and the environment. Rainfall totals for July, ranged from 1% of the expected average for south-east England to 26% in north-west England. Some parts of Hampshire, Isle of Wight and West Sussex have not had a rain day for 59 days. England has recorded its driest July in 190 years, since records began in 1836 with this year seeing 34 days where temperatures have reached 30C or above somewhere in England, including 13 consecutive days in July. And there are warnings of more dry weather and another heatwave on the way, with temperatures soaring to 36C and above in some areas. The emergency drought group announced that East Midlands, Lincolnshire & Northamptonshire, Kent & East Sussex, and Solent & the South Downs were the latest regions to move into drought status. They follow in the footsteps of East Anglia, Hertfordshire and the whole of London, Thames Valley, Devon & Cornwall, Wessex (covering Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and south Gloucestershire) and The West Midlands. While areas in prolonged dry weather are: Cumbria & Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Cheshire, North East and Yorkshire. This takes the total to 45 million people in a drought area with more than 27 million people now living under restrictions on water use. Tony Grayling, Strategic Drought Lead at the Environment Agency and Chair of the National Drought Group, said: “Drought conditions are worsening and will continue to do so until we see significant and sustained rainfall. We know the hot and dry weather is taking a real toll on farming and there will be long-lasting impacts on our environment. We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated over the summer, but we need everyone’s help in using a little less water to make sure our current water reserves last. Every drop we can save is a drop more for your local farmers, local wildlife and local rivers.” Water Minister Emma Hardy has told water companies to do more to cut leaks, which increase in the hot weather as pipes move in dry soils. The public are being urged to take small steps to reduce water consumption – such as turning off taps when brushing teeth or fixing a leaking toilet. Ms Hardy, who attended the National Drought Group, said: “We know how challenging this summer has been, especially for our hard-working farmers who are at the sharp end of climate change and an increasing number of floods and droughts. “We are stepping up our support including working to make it easier for farmers to build more on-site irrigation reservoirs. We are also delivering long-term change in the water industry to reduce leaks and deliver nine new reservoirs and water transfer schemes to secure supplies. “As we move through this period of drought, I expect water companies to take every available step to minimise leakage and support customers in using water wisely. I also want to thank people for following the restrictions, where in place, as they are an important tool to safeguard essential water supplies and protect the environment.” The group heard how the current drought now means there have been three in the past five years – 2022, 2025 and now 2026. After the meeting, the Government said it was stepping up its drought response and is considering ways to give more support to farmers. It pointed out that England is not alone in facing drought as mainland Europe is also struggling with heatwaves and dry weather. It also said our river flows continue to decline, with only 14% classed as at normal levels. 22% are exceptionally low, including the Avon, Wye, Ely Ouse and Exe. Reservoir levels have fallen to 69% - 11.6% lower than to be expected for this time of year. England reservoir storage fell 16% during July, the greatest reduction in raw storage in July for at least 30 years. Livestock farmers are beginning to feed winter forage stocks earlier than normal due to poor grass growth. The lack of adequate feed is expected to result in decreased milk volumes. NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins said: “With no meaningful rain forecast in the coming weeks, the situation facing farmers and growers is increasingly concerning. Many farmers have completed the earliest harvest on record, with poor yields in key crops reported in some areas of the country. Livestock and dairy farmers are already using winter feed because grass has stopped growing, while growers are working hard to keep fruit and vegetables watered, but many are struggling to access the water they need. “To help farmers and growers now, we need to see a risk register for vulnerable businesses and a more responsive abstraction licensing system. Longer term, a consistent and positive planning approach to reservoirs, further rounds of the Water Management Grant and targeted investment in climate adaptation will be vital to build farming's resilience to extreme weather. “Water plays a crucial role in food security and the resilience of our nation. By treating water for food as a strategic priority, government can work with farmers to protect crops, livestock businesses, and the UK’s long-term food security.” They told how wildlife and fishing has also been suffering in the drought. Mark Owen, Head of Fisheries at the Angling Trust, said: “Warmer water holds less dissolved oxygen, putting fish under severe stress that can quickly become life-threatening. “Anglers often spot problems first and play an important role raising the alarm when fish are in distress. This summer, we have seen an increasing number of incidents linked to prolonged hot, dry weather and exceptionally low river flows. More frequent droughts and rising water temperatures are placing even greater pressure on rivers, making it increasingly difficult for fish and other wildlife to survive unless we build greater resilience into our freshwater environment. “If you see fish gasping at the surface, stranded in isolated pools or large numbers showing signs of distress, report it immediately to the Environment Agency's 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60. Early reports from anglers and other river users can make all the difference, giving fisheries teams the best chance of saving fish before it's too late." Head of Environment and Energy at the Met Office, Sarah Davies, said: "July 2026 was one of the most remarkable months in the UK's climate record. England and Wales both recorded their driest and sunniest July on record, together with periods of exceptionally high temperatures. These conditions have significantly increased pressure on water resources in some parts of the country and contributed to the ongoing drought concerns. "Looking ahead, forecasts for the remainder of August and into September suggest a good deal of dry weather is expected, mixed with some unsettled spells. While some areas may see useful rainfall at times, there is currently no strong signal for a sustained period of widespread rainfall, with below average rainfall more likely than above-average for the period as a whole. "The Met Office will continue to work closely with partners through the National Drought Group, providing forecasts and climate intelligence to support planning and decision-making as conditions evolve." Nicci Russell, CEO at Waterwise, said: “The experts are telling us that these extraordinary climate emergency impacts we're seeing in real time, right in front of our eyes, are not random one-off events. It's entirely reasonable that at this time, we only use water for essential purposes. None of us can live without water - and society, the economy and the environment can't function without it. “We all have a role to play in making sure there's enough water to go round - and there are lots of simple things we can all do at home and at work to help close the gap between the water we need, and the water we have. Turn that hosepipe off! Step away from the sprinkler! Let your lawn go golden and your car go dirty. Knock a minute off your shower time - imagine if everyone in England and Wales did that, saving 15 litres of water every time, and you can see how small actions by each of us make a real difference. “We all need to save water - of course there is work to do for the water companies and governments, and big business, but we all need to step up.” Eight water companies have introduced Temporary Use Bans (TUBs), in some or all of their areas, impacting over 27 million customers. They are: Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, Essex & Suffolk Water, Southern Water, South East Water, Thames Water and South West Water. Southern Water has applied for two Drought Orders. The first is to maintain normal abstraction rates from the River Test even during low flows and the second is for a non-essential use ban. These are both under consideration by Defra. The National Drought Group recommended water companies submit drought permits early to allow them to refill reservoirs as early as possible.