The Environment Agency convened a National Drought Group meeting
today (5 June 2025) to discuss the latest outlook and hear from
water companies about steps they are taking to prepare for the
summer.
England has only seen 57% of the long-term average May rainfall
and spring is the driest since the reign of Queen Victoria.
However, the recent rain at the end of May and the start of June
is helping to stabilise the position.
The expert group will now meet monthly following a drought
declaration in the north-west. Four other areas - the north-east,
Yorkshire, east and west midlands – are also experiencing
prolonged dry weather.
The EA told the group it has stepped up its operational response.
This includes more compliance checks on businesses who abstract
water, such as manufacturers, and increased monitoring of river
and groundwater levels.
The regulator is also working with all members of the National
Drought Group, including the National Farmers Union, to help
farmers plan their water needs over the summer.
Meanwhile, water companies updated the group on how they are
implementing their drought plans, including increased
communication with customers, and speeding up the fixing of
leaks.
United Utilities in the north-west has increased the rate of
finding and fixing leaks by 70% in recent weeks after a strong
response from the community in spotting leaks during the dry
weather.
Youlgrave Waterworks, a private firm which supplies 500 homes in
Derbyshire, became the first company to introduce a hosepipe ban
at the start of June. The major water companies report they have
no current plans for hosepipe bans but are keeping this under
review.
Helen Wakeham, EA Director of Water and National Drought Group
chair, said:
It's been the driest spring since 1893, and we need to be
prepared for more summer droughts as our climate changes.
The recent rainfall is having a positive effect, but it hasn't
been enough to stop a drought in the north-west and we must
ensure we have enough water to last the entire summer.
We are working with water companies, farmers and other
abstractors to help them plan their water usage over the summer
and urge people to be mindful about their daily use.
The National Drought Group heard that without further substantial
rain, some water companies may need to implement further drought
measures this summer to conserve supplies.
Water Minister said:
We face a water shortage in the next decade. That's why the
government is taking urgent steps to secure supplies into the
future, as part of our Plan for Change.
As an immediate step, we have convened the National Drought Group
to make sure water companies are acting to conserve this precious
resource and act in line with their drought plans.
The Government has secured over £104 billion of private sector
investment to fund essential infrastructure, including nine new
reservoirs, and to cut leakage by 17% over the next five
years.
Dr Will Lang, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office said:
After the driest Spring for more than a century across England,
the start of June has brought some much-needed rainfall with a
mix of Atlantic weather systems interspersed with drier and
sunnier periods expected to continue over the coming days.
Most areas will experience showers at times with some seeing
longer spells of rain. From mid-June onwards, the forecast
becomes less clear with signs of drier conditions becoming more
dominant across southern England.
Looking further ahead, the chance of a hot summer is higher than
normal with an associated increased risk of heatwaves and related
impacts. After the more unsettled and wetter start to June, the
likelihoods of a wetter or drier than average summer remain
evenly balanced.
Periods of dry weather and low rivers can have several
consequences for the environment and wildlife. Low oxygen levels
in water can lead to fish kills, as well as more algal blooms and
lower river flows prevent wildlife from moving up or downstream.
The National Drought Group – which includes the Met Office,
government, regulators, water companies, farmers, and
conservation experts - heard:
-
Reservoir levels are now at 77%.
-
Fish rescues have been carried out on the Rivers Redlake and
Tern in Shropshire.
-
Navigation issues have been noted with the Canals and Rivers
Trust having to implement restrictions on the Leeds-Liverpool
Canal and Lancaster Canal because of low water levels.
-
The quality of spring crops is becoming a concern because of
the dry soil and poor grass growth for feed.
-
Applications for Local
Resource Options (LRO) screening studies are now
open for groups of farmers to explore ways to improve water
availability and reliability.
The Environment Agency is encouraging the public to report
environmental incidents to their 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70
60. Meanwhile angling groups are also asking members to
report signs of environmental impacts.
Notes to editors:
A decision to declare drought is taken based on reservoir levels,
river flows and moisture in the soil along with consideration of
the long-term weather forecasts.
More information on how drought is defined can be found here:
Drought
explained – Creating a better place
