Headline: Severe Drought Declared Across Parts of Southern England as Reservoir Levels Plummet

Date: 15 October 2026

Tags: Environment, Climate, Water Supply, UK

Summary:

• The Environment Agency has declared a severe drought across parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and East and West Sussex.

• England's hottest summer on record and exceptionally low rainfall have significantly reduced water supplies.

• The South East and South West experienced their driest April-to-September period in more than a century.

• Wimbleball Reservoir in Somerset is at 14.9% capacity, while Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex is at 19.4%.

• Other reservoirs remain critically low, including Stithians at 21.9%, Burrator at 33.6% and Colliford at 35%.

• Ministers have ordered daily monitoring of reservoirs and rivers, alongside stricter checks on water extraction by businesses.

• Water companies have received permission to reduce water releases into rivers to protect public supplies.

• Hosepipe bans remain in place across several southern counties, with no confirmed date for restrictions to end.

• Water companies are increasing leak repairs, adjusting water pressure and transferring supplies from more resilient sources.

• The Government says household water supplies will remain uninterrupted, while emergency standpipes are considered unlikely.

Why this matters: Severe drought threatens water supplies, agriculture and wildlife across southern England. Authorities are taking preventative measures to avoid disruption to households.

What’s next: Water companies will continue conservation measures and restrictions while awaiting sufficient rainfall to replenish reservoirs.