Severe Drought Declared in Six Areas of England as Water Supplies Come Under Immense Pressure
The Environment Agency has declared a severe drought across parts of Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex, with some reservoirs at critically low levels and water companies seeking bans on non-essential business use.
A severe drought has been declared across six areas of England, with public water supplies described as being under immense pressure and some reservoirs at critically low levels. The Environment Agency confirmed that parts of Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex have moved into severe drought status, triggering urgent measures to protect falling supplies.
The agency's chief executive has asked the public to use less water in order to preserve reserves that have been depleted by an exceptionally dry period. The South East and South West of England have experienced their driest April to September for more than a century, according to the agency, leaving rivers, groundwater and reservoir stocks significantly below normal levels for the time of year.
Water companies operating in the affected regions are calling for bans on non-essential water use by businesses, as the pressure on public supplies intensifies. The measures under consideration reflect the seriousness of the situation, with some reservoirs in the south-east and south-west reported to be at critically low levels. The drought declaration covers a broad stretch of southern England, from Cornwall and Devon in the west to East Sussex and West Sussex in the east.
The Environment Agency has urged households and businesses to reduce consumption, warning that without a significant reduction in demand and sustained rainfall, the security of public water supplies could be further compromised. The agency's appeal is aimed at preserving what remains of the region's water resources as the dry spell continues to affect both surface water and underground aquifers.
The drought designation follows months of below-average rainfall across southern England. The period from April to September was the driest for over a hundred years in both the South East and South West, a pattern that has left water companies struggling to maintain normal service levels. The combination of low rainfall and high demand has placed additional strain on infrastructure that was already operating close to capacity in some areas.
While the immediate focus is on securing public supplies, the declaration also raises questions about the longer-term resilience of water resources in southern England. The affected counties include some of the most populated parts of the country outside London, and the pressure on supplies is likely to continue if dry conditions persist through the autumn and winter.
The Environment Agency has not indicated when the severe drought status might be lifted, stating that it will depend on rainfall levels and the effectiveness of the measures being taken to reduce demand. Water companies are expected to provide further details on the proposed restrictions for businesses in the coming days.
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