UK Minister Says Drought Is Becoming England's New Normal

Severe drought status now covers parts of southern England after months of low rainfall, and the government's water and flooding minister told MPs on Thursday that water use must change to prevent shortages from becoming routine, according to the BBC.

What Does "Severe Drought" Status Actually Change?

The Environment Agency's severe drought declaration does not, on its own, shut off anyone's water. The government said supplies will not be interrupted but that the classification ensures "proactive steps are taken to safeguard water before any disruption occurs," per the BBC. Under the designation, water companies must conduct daily monitoring of reservoir levels and tighter checks on water quality. The Environment Agency is also expected to step up compliance checks on businesses withdrawing water from rivers and groundwater to confirm they are not exceeding permitted amounts.

How Many People And Areas Are Affected?

The severe drought declaration announced Thursday covers Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex. Water and flooding minister Emma Hardy told the House of Commons that, combined with Yorkshire's drought status declared the prior week, "over 80% of England is now in drought, affecting around 50 million people." She said the South East and South West had their driest April-to-September stretch in more than a century.

What Are Reservoir Levels Showing?

The BBC reported Wimbleball Reservoir on Exmoor, which serves roughly 300,000 properties across east Devon, north Devon, Somerset, west Dorset and west Somerset, stood at 14.9% capacity. Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex, which supplies 280,000 properties, was at 19.4%. Other reservoirs cited include Roadford in Devon at 36.8%, Burrator at 33.6%, Colliford in Cornwall at 35%, and Stithians at 21.9%.

What Is The Minister Telling The Public To Do?

Hardy urged people to "think about ways to use water wisely over the coming weeks," attributing the conditions to "exceptionally low rainfall" and depleted reservoirs. The Environment Agency said steps like shorter showers, fixing leaks and turning off taps while brushing teeth "aren't token gestures" but "cut the amount of water we need to take from rivers and groundwater, protecting supplies for people."

How Did England Get Here?

• Early October: A drought permit was issued to help secure supply, per the BBC's reporting.
• Week of Oct. 9: Yorkshire moved into drought status.
• Oct. 15–16: Severe drought was declared across six southern English counties; hosepipe bans followed in affected areas.
• Oct. 16: Hardy briefed MPs, calling the conditions something "we have not experienced for decades."

What Comes Next?

• Daily reservoir monitoring by water companies continues under the severe drought designation.
• Expanded Environment Agency compliance checks on commercial water withdrawals.
• Political scrutiny: shadow environment minister Robbie Moore told MPs the government was "slow to react," calling this "the third drought in five years" that "should not have caught the government off guard." Hardy responded that "we know that this the new normal when it comes to our weather," adding, "This is exactly why we are preparing for it."
• Watch reservoir percentages at Wimbleball and Ardingly for further declines heading into winter.