The Environment Agency declared severe drought on 15 October 2026 for parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex, its highest alert level. The move follows the driest April-to-September period in more than a century and leaves two key reservoirs at roughly a fifth of their normal capacity.
The Environment Agency declared severe drought status for parts of six southern English counties on 15 October 2026, following a meeting of the National Drought Group. Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex are affected, according to the agency's own account of the decision.
Severe drought is the Environment Agency's highest classification, used when dry conditions are "causing, or will soon cause, serious harm" and emergency action is judged necessary to protect water supplies, the environment, farming and other critical services, the agency said on its official blog.
Why reservoirs are so low
Officials linked the declaration to the driest April-to-September period in more than 100 years across the South East and South West. Two reservoirs singled out by the agency illustrate the scale of the shortfall: Ardingly in West Sussex, which supplies about 95,000 South East Water customers, and Wimbleball in Somerset, which supplies roughly 300,000 South West Water and Wessex Water customers.
Water levels at both sites have fallen to around 16-19% of capacity, far below the roughly 75% that would normally be expected at this point in the year, according to reporting based on the Environment Agency's figures.
The Environment Agency said recovery would likely require about 120% of typical rainfall over the next six months to restore reservoirs to normal levels.
Scale of the impact
The agency said 82% of England remains in some form of drought. Beyond the six counties now in severe drought, central, southern and eastern England are classed as being in drought, while Yorkshire was upgraded from "prolonged dry weather" to drought status, having been on dry-weather alert since late July.
Around 24 million people remain under hosepipe bans first imposed during the summer's record-breaking heat.
Key reservoirs under strain
Reservoir
County
Reported level
Customers served
Ardingly
West Sussex
~19% capacity
~95,000 (South East Water)
Wimbleball
Somerset
~16% capacity
~300,000 (South West Water / Wessex Water)
What officials and companies are saying
Record-breaking summer heat and severe drought have put water resources under immense pressure.
— Philip Duffy, Environment Agency chief executive
This level of drought is something we have not experienced for decades.
— Dame Angela Eagle, Environment Secretary
The Environment Agency said it is stepping up scrutiny of water companies, increasing monitoring and prioritising protection of public water supplies while applying regulatory discretion on environmental permits. Water companies in affected areas have been told to intensify their drought planning, which can include extra abstraction from rivers and groundwater, restrictions on some business water use, and, in more severe cases, supply interruptions or reduced mains pressure.
Background
The current episode follows a summer of record or near-record temperatures across parts of the UK, which drove up demand for water at the same time as rainfall remained well below average.
Questions
What does 'severe drought' mean in England?
It is the Environment Agency's highest drought classification, applied when dry conditions are causing or are about to cause serious harm and emergency action is needed to protect water supplies, the environment, farming or other critical services.
Which areas are in severe drought?
Parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex were placed in severe drought on 15 October 2026, while most of central, southern and eastern England, plus Yorkshire, remain in drought or prolonged dry weather status.
Are hosepipe bans in place?
Yes. About 24 million people are still under hosepipe bans introduced by several water companies during the summer, and firms in the newly declared areas have been told to step up drought planning, which could bring further restrictions.
How low are reservoirs?
Ardingly reservoir in West Sussex and Wimbleball in Somerset were reported at roughly 19% and 16% of capacity respectively, compared with a typical level of about 75% for this time of year.
What would it take to end the drought?
The Environment Agency said reservoirs would likely need around 120% of normal rainfall over the next six months to return to typical levels.
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