Drought Conditions Worsen Across England and Wales, Triggering Hosepipe Bans
England and Wales are experiencing their driest July on record, leading to drought declarations and hosepipe bans affecting nearly 30 million people.
Nearly three-quarters of England and all of Wales are under drought conditions, with repeated heatwaves leaving water supplies under strain. Both England and Wales provisionally recorded their driest July on record, with a lack of rainfall on top of hot, dry weather in spring and early summer taking its toll on rivers, crops, and nature.
Wessex Water has become the latest water provider to announce a hosepipe ban, the company's first for 50 years, taking the total number of people under such a measure to nearly 30 million.
## Drought Conditions in the UK
There is no single definition of drought, but it is characterised by a period of low rainfall. As the ground dries out, crops and vegetation can begin to struggle. If dry conditions persist, rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater levels can also fall, putting pressure on water supplies.
Environmental bodies in each UK nation decide whether to declare drought or water scarcity by assessing current water resources alongside weather forecasts. Both drought and water scarcity can lead to hosepipe bans, if they are not already in place.
While drought is driven by prolonged dry weather, water scarcity occurs when demand for water outstrips the available supply. This summer, restrictions have been introduced in some areas to help manage high demand.
### Drought Status Across the UK
| Region | Drought Status | | --- | --- | | England | Nearly three-quarters of the country in drought, with northern parts in "prolonged dry weather" | | Wales | Entire country in drought | | Northern Ireland | No official droughts currently | | Scotland | Monitors "water scarcity", with some eastern areas in "moderate" or "significant" scarcity |
## Water Supplies Under Strain
Our three main sources of water are rivers, reservoirs, and from deep underground. Almost all river flows in England and Wales were classed as "below normal", "notably low", or "exceptionally low" in July, according to the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH).
England's reservoirs are some way below average levels for the time of year. Wales' reservoirs are also declining, but Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has said its water resource position is "relatively strong". Reservoir levels in Northern Ireland and Scotland are close to average, according to the latest available data.
Groundwater levels are generally declining following the prolonged dry weather, but almost half of monitored groundwater sites recorded levels considered "normal" or higher in July. Water can flow more slowly through some rock types than others, sometimes taking years to fully respond to current conditions.
### Water Supplies by Region
| Region | Reservoir Levels | Groundwater Levels | | --- | --- | --- | | England | Below average levels | Declining | | Wales | Declining | Relatively strong | | Northern Ireland | Close to average | | | Scotland | Close to average | |
## Climate Change and Drought
Droughts are complex phenomena, driven by a mix of natural and human causes. The Met Office expects the UK to experience drier summers on average in future as the world warms, though there has been no clear trend so far. Rising temperatures can play a more direct role by drawing extra moisture from the soil via evaporation.
"A warmer atmosphere is thirstier for moisture and this can mean water in the soil, rivers, and reservoirs are depleted more effectively, leading to more rapidly onsetting droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires," said Richard Allan, professor of climate science at the University of Reading.
But there are other factors that determine whether dry conditions lead to water shortages, including how we use water. In a landmark review into the water sector of England and Wales, water companies were criticised for historic underinvestment in water infrastructure.
As part of plans to address water shortages, the government and water companies are planning nine new reservoirs for England by 2050, in addition to one under construction at Havant Thicket in Hampshire. But the EA has warned that measures to tackle water leaks and control water demand - potentially including hosepipe bans - may be needed in England too.
Water companies in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland - which are all public bodies or non-profit - also said they were taking steps to secure future supplies.
Tell us how you're affected by the hosepipe ban.
