A drought has been declared in North Wales and the Upper Severn river basin following extended periods of dry weather and consecutive heatwaves that have strained water supplies across the United Kingdom. According to Natural Resources Wales, the country is tracking toward its driest July in 190 years of recorded history if rainfall does not increase significantly in the coming days.
Hostpipe restrictions are currently in effect for more than 20 million households across England and Wales, prohibiting the use of hosepipes for garden watering, vehicle and window cleaning, and pool filling. Eight UK water companies have implemented these bans, with seven located in southern and eastern England and one in Wales. The restrictions stem from both prolonged drought conditions and elevated water demand during the hot summer season.
Water resources are being monitored across the UK using different classification systems. In England, the Environment Agency has designated prolonged dry weather across large portions of the country, including East Anglia, the West Midlands, Devon, Cornwall, and various other regions, while northern areas maintain normal status. Scotland tracks water scarcity rather than drought declarations, with several areas classified as experiencing significant scarcity. Northern Ireland currently has no official droughts.
River flows have reached exceptionally low levels, with some locations recording July lows for the time of year in affected regions. Reservoir levels in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland were at or above expected levels as of June, though English reservoirs remain below average. Groundwater levels, which respond more slowly to dry conditions, were generally at or slightly below normal across most regions.
Experts attribute current conditions to a combination of natural climate patterns and rising temperatures that increase atmospheric moisture demand. The UK Met Office projects drier summers on average as global temperatures continue to rise. Water companies and government authorities are advancing infrastructure improvements, including plans for nine new reservoirs in England by 2050, alongside efforts to reduce leakage and manage demand through potential additional restrictions and smart metering initiatives.
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