Four areas of England now in drought as hot weather threatens wildlife and crops
Continuing hot and dry weather is a hazard to crop production and wildlife, ministers said, as they urged water companies to put hosepipe bans in place to conserve water as levels deplete.
The water minister, Emma Hardy, said: 'I have asked the national drought group to step up its response to ensure we are successfully managing the impacts of ongoing dry weather. Water companies must now take action to follow their drought plans – I will hold them to account if they delay.'
England had a very hot and dry June. Rainfall was 20% less than the long term average for the month, and it was the hottest on record for England. Reservoir levels have continued to fall as increased water use meets lack of rain, with overall storage across England at 75.6%. This is below their level during the severe drought year of 2022, when they were at 77% capacity at this point in the summer. The Guardian recently revealed that England's reservoirs are at their lowest levels for a decade.
The government's national drought group met on Tuesday to discuss their response to the prolonged dry weather, which has caused mass fish die-offs, low river flows, dangerous algal blooms and the beginnings of crop failures.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it is likely that yields for farmers will be lower than last year, particularly non-irrigated grains and straw.
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Nature is also suffering, Defra said. Wildfires, drying up wetlands and coastal sites, and the loss of breeding seasons for rare species have all been seen. The national drought group is asking recreational water users including anglers, swimmers, and boaters to report any environmental problems they see, such as fish in distress.
Officials said on Monday that as many as five of the Environment Agency's 14 areas of England are expected to go into drought this summer after the hottest June since records began in 1884.
Three heatwaves, which tend to increase water consumption, combined with a lack of rain, means that large swathes of England are heading towards drought status and the damage to the environment that entails.
Helen Wakeham, the Environment Agency's director for water and the national drought group chair, said: 'This has been the driest start to the year since 1976, and we need to make sure our water supplies can sustain us through the summer.
'Today I have asked all the partners who make up the national drought group to step up their operational response to manage the drought and use water wisely. Environment Agency teams are out on the ground actively monitoring river levels and working to ensure there is enough water for the people and the environment.'
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Scotsman
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The UK's water supplies are under serious pressure as drought spreads 💧 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The West and East Midlands have been officially declared in drought Water companies may introduce more hosepipe bans if rainfall remains low Millions of households in England are already facing water restrictions Breaking a hosepipe ban can result in fines up to £1,000 Certain exemptions apply for medical, commercial, and essential water use The West and East Midlands have officially been declared in drought following a meeting of the National Drought Group (NDG) on Tuesday (15 July) morning. According to the Environment Agency, conditions have worsened significantly since the group last met on June 5. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Without substantial rainfall in the coming weeks, some water companies may be forced to introduce further drought measures — including temporary use bans (TUBs), more commonly known as hosepipe bans. Millions of households are already facing water restrictions, with a hosepipe ban implemented in Yorkshire in the face of reservoir storage at only 53.8%. And embattled utility Thames Water has announced a ban which will begin next Tuesday (22 July) for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. (Photo: Pexels) | Pexels Millions more across the UK are being urged to use water wisely and follow any local restrictions, as prolonged dry weather continues to put pressure on the nation's water supply. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But what are the rules around hosepipe bans, and how much can you be fined if you break the rules? Here is everything you need to know. What does a hosepipe ban mean? A temporary use ban (TUB) prohibits using a hosepipe connected to mains water for non-essential outdoor activities such as watering gardens or lawns, washing cars, windows, patios or driveways, and filling swimming or paddling pools, hot tubs, fountains or ponds. You can still use a watering can or buckets, and you may use rainwater, greywater, or private borehole water through hoses. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Is anybody exempt from hosepipe bans? There are a number of exemptions under which a hosepipe may still be used, even during a regional ban. For instance, businesses and commercial users may use a hosepipe for essential operations, such as cleaning equipment or vehicles as a service. Priority Services customers (such as those with medical requirements or disabilities), Blue Badge holders, and WaterSure tariff users may have exemptions for essential water uses, including pools for medical or religious reasons. Food crops at home or private allotments may be watered with a hose if a watering can would be unreasonable to use, while nlaid turf or planted areas can be watered via hose for around 14–28 days post planting by a business contractor, depending on specific company policy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Public health, safety and essential maintenance (e.g. keeping a navigable pond oxygenated, washing vessels under specific conditions) are also permissible. What is the penalty for violating a hosepipe ban? Violating a hosepipe ban is a criminal offence under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, successor to the Water Industry Act 1991. Enforcement usually starts with a warning letter from your water company if a breach is reported, typically to issue a reminder before issuing a fine. They don't send enforcement officers to check every garden — most enforcement is based on community reports or repeated violations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Repeat or serious breaches can lead to fines without prosecution in court. Anyone found using a hosepipe during a ban may be fined up to £1,000. Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
The Independent
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