The British government declared severe drought in parts of six English counties on October 15, 2026, and ordered water companies to strengthen preparations to protect supplies. The announcement covers parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex. Ministers said customer supplies would remain uninterrupted while preventive measures were intensified.
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, south-east and south-west England experienced their driest April-to-September period in more than a century. The Environment Agency said the declaration concerns supply areas served by Ardingly reservoir in West Sussex and Wimbleball in Somerset, rather than every household across the six counties. It reported that 82% of England remained in drought.
The government instructed companies to check reservoir and river levels daily and strengthen water-quality monitoring. The agency will increase inspections of businesses taking water from natural sources to ensure withdrawals stay within permitted amounts. Water minister Emma Hardy also directed it to prioritize public supplies where an unavoidable conflict with environmental rules arises, allowing companies to retain more water in depleted reservoirs.
The agency described severe drought as its highest drought classification, requiring exceptional action to limit serious harm. It does not automatically impose new restrictions or constitute a civil emergency. South East Water separately confirmed that tighter hosepipe restrictions introduced in Sussex on October 9 removed previous exemptions, except where use is necessary for health, safety or welfare.
Agriculture also faces uncertainty over replenishing stored water. The National Farmers' Union said the National Drought Group was meeting weekly and warned about winter reservoir refill and resilience for next year. It welcomed measures announced earlier in October allowing some farmers to fill existing storage reservoirs sooner and simplifying applications for longer-term water-abstraction licences.
The Environment Agency said recovery in some areas would require around 120% of normal rainfall over the next six months. It plans continued monitoring and coordination with government and water companies until sufficient rain restores resources. The agency urged water conservation, saying reduced demand leaves more water in rivers and groundwater for wildlife and wetlands as well as public supplies.
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