Severe drought declared in parts of England as government steps up water supply planning

Parts of six English counties have been placed under severe drought status following an exceptionally dry spring and summer.

The declaration, announced on 15 October 2026, covers areas of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has instructed water companies in the affected areas to strengthen their drought plans to protect customer supplies.

The South East and South West experienced their driest April-to-September period in more than a century, leaving reservoirs and other water resources under pressure.

However, the Government has said household water supplies will remain uninterrupted.

Reservoir levels remain below average

The latest Environment Agency figures, published on 16 October, show reservoir storage across England had fallen to 54% of capacity.

This was around 21 percentage points below the long-term average for the time of year.

Eighteen reservoir groups were less than half full, with 11 classified as exceptionally low.

Although recent rainfall has improved river flows in some areas, more sustained rainfall will be needed to restore water resources.

Dry conditions have also affected agriculture, particularly farms that rely on stored water for irrigation.

What does this mean for households?

The severe drought declaration is a precautionary measure intended to protect water supplies.

Households should continue to follow guidance from their water company, including any local restrictions.

Checking for leaks and reducing unnecessary water use can also help.

Anyone storing drinking water for emergencies should use clean, food-safe containers and follow appropriate storage guidance.