Drought conditions have intensified across England, now encompassing almost 71.3 percent of the country, affecting an estimated 45 million people. Officials have warned that the current record-breaking dry spell is worsening, leading to increased water restrictions for millions. More than 27 million people are already subject to hosepipe bans.
The driest-ever July saw some areas receive only one percent of their expected rainfall. The East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs have recently been classified as being in drought. Conditions in these regions are described as a 'flash drought,' characterized by rapid development due to exceptionally low rainfall and high temperatures. No areas in England are currently considered to be under 'normal' conditions, with the North East and Yorkshire now classified as having 'prolonged dry weather,' a stage preceding drought.
Tony Grayling, Drought Lead at the Environment Agency and Chair of the National Drought Group, stated, "Drought conditions are worsening and will continue to do so until we see significant and sustained rainfall." He noted the significant toll on farming and the environment, urging public cooperation to conserve water. "Every drop we can save is a drop more for your local farmers, local wildlife and local rivers," Grayling added.
Water Minister Emma Hardy has directed water companies to intensify efforts to reduce water lost through leaks, which tend to increase during hot weather. Rainfall in July was as low as one percent of the monthly average in south-east England, while north-west England received 26 percent. Some parts of Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and West Sussex have experienced 59 consecutive dry days.
The prolonged dry spell has led to disruptions, including the temporary closure of Chessington World of Adventures Resort due to a burst water main. Thousands of visitors were turned away as engineers worked to repair the leak affecting the KT9 area. Thames Water, which serves the resort, had already implemented a hosepipe ban for its customers on July 23.
Southern Water is considering further measures, including applying for a Drought Order and a Non-Essential Use Ban (NEUB) in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Such a ban would extend restrictions beyond domestic hosepipe use to businesses, potentially prohibiting activities like washing cars, filling non-domestic swimming pools, cleaning vehicles, or maintaining ponds. This would be the first NEUB of its kind since 2006.
Eight other water companies have already introduced hosepipe bans, including Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Essex and Suffolk Water, South East Water, South West Water, and Thames Water. South West Water recently imposed restrictions on its 1.8 million customers across Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset, and the Isles of Scilly.
The country is anticipating further heatwaves this week, with temperatures expected to reach 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas. The Met Office has warned of potential impacts on railway lines and power networks. Heat health alerts have been issued across England, and health officials have cautioned about the effects of extreme heat on vulnerable populations, predicting potential increases in heat-related deaths.
This year has already seen 34 days with temperatures exceeding 30C (86F) somewhere in the UK, matching the record set in 1995. Two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June were linked to over 2,800 excess deaths. July, the driest on record for England and Wales, also fueled drought conditions and a high number of wildfires. Firefighters attended 395 blazes in the three weeks leading up to July 31. Concerns are also growing over water-related fatalities, with numerous deaths reported in open-water incidents during the hot summer months.
Government officials acknowledge the significant impact of these conditions on communities, farmers, and businesses. They emphasize a focus on both immediate response and long-term resilience, including investment in water infrastructure and measures to reduce leaks by water companies. The European Union's Copernicus program reported that average temperatures across Western Europe for June and July broke the previous record set in 2022.