Understand
Severe drought and hosepipe bans implemented across parts of England and Wales
Overview
A severe drought has been declared for the first time in parts of southern England following months of dry weather, affecting roughly 30 million people who are currently under hosepipe bans. Most of England and all of Wales are experiencing drought conditions after record-hot summers, impacting rivers, crops, and reservoir levels which currently average just over half full.
Key points
- A severe drought classification has been declared for parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex, and West Sussex.
- Roughly 30 million people across England and Wales are covered by temporary hosepipe bans.
- Eleven UK water companies have announced hosepipe bans, prohibiting the use of hosepipes for watering gardens, washing vehicles, and filling pools.
- England's reservoirs are currently just over half full on average, compared to the expected three-quarters for this time of year.
- South-east and south-west England experienced their driest April to September in over a century.
- Government and water companies plan to build nine new reservoirs in England by 2050 to address water shortages alongside an existing one under construction in Hampshire.