The key facts

  • A severe drought has been declared in parts of southern England; according to the minister, more than 80% of England is in drought, affecting around 50 million people
  • Wimbleball — 14.9% of capacity, Ardingly — 19.4%; the norm for this time of year is ~75%
  • Hosepipe bans are in force; companies have stepped up leak repairs, and the government requires daily monitoring of levels

Severe drought declaration

The Environment Agency declared a severe drought in parts of southern England — in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, and East and West Sussex — after months of low rainfall. The decision followed a water resources review by the National Drought Group. The government stated that consumer water supplies would not be interrupted, and that the severe drought status 'ensures proactive measures are taken to protect water before disruptions occur.' According to the water and floods minister Emma Hardy, after Yorkshire moved into drought status last week, more than 80% of England is in drought, affecting around 50 million people.

Reservoir levels

The reason for the status change was concern over two large reservoirs — Ardingly in West Sussex (19.4% full) and Wimbleball on Exmoor (14.9%). Wimbleball supplies about 300,000 properties in east and north Devon, Somerset, west Dorset and west Somerset; Ardingly supplies 280,000 customers in Sussex. Also low are Roadford in Devon (36.8%), Burrator (33.6%), Colliford in Cornwall (35%) and Stithians (21.9%). Colliford and Wimbleball are classified as having exceptionally low levels. The Agency expects that at this time of year reservoir stocks should be around 75%; according to the latest report, stocks continue to fall at most reservoirs in England.

Government and company measures

Ministers have instructed water companies to carry out daily monitoring of reservoir and river levels and to strengthen water quality controls; the Environment Agency will increase inspections of companies abstracting water from natural sources. The Agency has issued drought permits to South East Water and South West Water, allowing them to reduce the release of water from reservoirs into rivers by millions of litres per day. Southern Water has also applied for a water use restriction in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. The Agency's director for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Mark Rice, said the measure 'pushes back the day when further restrictions will be needed,' so that they are not needed in winter and the reservoirs can refill.

Hosepipe bans and leaks

A hosepipe ban has been in force in Devon, Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and parts of Dorset and Somerset since 8 August with no set end date; South West Water attributed it to prolonged hot and dry weather and high demand. Wessex Water, supplied from Wimbleball, introduced its first hosepipe ban in 50 years in August and said restrictions will remain in place for the foreseeable future; water director Will Willoughby noted record demand — over 400 million litres per day for 48 days. South East Water (more than 2 million customers) reported that 92 crews are repairing leaks in Sussex and Kent; according to the company, the number of leaks in the area has fallen from 181 to 97, and more than 1,300 leaks have been repaired since 1 April. Chief operating officer Douglas Whitfield said standpipe hydrants remain part of the drought contingency plan but are unlikely to be needed; according to him, a wet winter is forecast, though the timing is unclear.

Reaction of politicians and farmers

Environment Minister Dame Angela Eagle described the level of drought as one 'we have not experienced in decades' and urged people to use water wisely. Emma Hardy told the House of Commons that 'this is the new norm of our weather' and that the government is preparing for it. Shadow minister Robbie Moore accused the government of a 'slow response', noting this is the third drought in five years. Environment Agency chief Philip Duffy called on companies to follow drought plans and urged everyone to use less water. Deputy president of the National Farmers' Union Paul Tompkins called the year 'a hard one for farmers': conditions complicated harvesting and livestock watering, and a possible dry winter could affect next year's harvest.

Forecast and criteria

The Environment Agency reported that usual seasonal rainfall has not yet arrived and 82% of England remains in drought; in some areas, recovery requires 120% of expected rainfall over the next six months, otherwise 'drought conditions will persist and may worsen.' Severe drought is the most serious level, declared when there is evidence that drought is causing or will soon cause serious harm and extraordinary measures are required to protect people, water supplies, the environment, agriculture, infrastructure or critical services.

Ardingly reservoir with muddy banks and concrete platform and low water.Image source, Reuters
Image caption,

Ardingly Reservoir's level of about 20% helped spark the severe drought

Map of England and Wales showing which regions are in severe drought (dark brown), drought (brown), prolonged dry weather (light brown) and normal (white). All of England and Wales are in at least drought conditions, except parts of north-east and north-west England. Severe drought covers the south-western tip of Cornwall, a larger area around the Devon, Somerset and Dorset borders, and a smaller area around the border of East Sussex and West Sussex.
The image shows an aerial view of a reservoir surrounded by patchwork farmland and wooded hills, with large areas of exposed brown shoreline visible around the water's edge. A dam structure can be seen on the left side of the reservoir.
Image caption,

Water levels have fallen to about 15% at Wimbleball reservoir on Exmoor

Reservoir showing mud lake bed and grass.
Image caption,

Stithian's Lake in Cornwall is just over 21% full

An image of the River Exe at Trews Weir where river levels are so low that atlantic salmon are struggling to migrate upstream to spawn. You can see rocky areas exposed by the lower water level and a rusted bike that has been thrown into the river A man is standing on an area of grass overlooking a reservoir. Three dogs are standing by his feet. The man is is looking through binoculars. Water levels are low and mud is visible.An image of Wimbleball reservoir on Exmoor, which is at just 15% full, significantly lower than usual for the time of year