Key facts
- Eleven areas of England are currently in drought.
- Reservoir levels across England and Wales are at 54%, 21% below expected autumn levels.
- Nineteen reservoirs are less than 50% full, with eight exceptionally low.
- South East, Southern, and South West Water applied for non-essential use bans on businesses.
- Permission from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is required for the bans.
- River flows in seven areas of England are exceptionally low, impacting wildlife.
Businesses in drought-stricken areas of England may soon face restrictions on non-essential water use, as three water companies seek government approval for bans. Yorkshire was the latest region to enter drought status on October 9, with 11 areas across England still experiencing severe dry conditions. Reservoir levels are critically low, standing at 54% capacity, which is 21% below the expected level for this time of year. This prolonged drought is placing immense pressure on rivers and wildlife.
South East, Southern, and South West Water have applied to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to implement "non-essential use bans." If granted, these measures could prevent golf clubs, private schools, and commercial car washes from using mains water for irrigation and operations. Commercial car washes, for instance, can use up to 25 liters of water per minute.
The drought's impact on the environment is significant, with river flows in seven English areas exceptionally low. This affects habitats, fish, and wildlife, with recovery potentially taking years. The Angling Trust supports further restrictions on non-essential water use, alongside urgent action to address water company leakage and unsustainable abstraction from rivers. Mark Owen, head of fisheries at the Angling Trust, stated, "It makes little sense to ban people from washing cars at home while commercial car washes can continue operating."
Southern Water is also seeking a drought order to draw water from the River Test, a rare chalk stream habitat, even at levels considered ecologically unsafe, citing a "clear threat to supplies" in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Meanwhile, Ardingly reservoir in West Sussex is exceptionally low at 1.05 billion liters against a 5.2 billion liter capacity. In the South West, Colliford reservoir is at 37% capacity and Wimbleball reservoir is at 18% capacity. Sam Bottomley, South West Water's director for drinking water services, described the situation as a critical phase of a prolonged drought, emphasizing that recovery takes longer than many realize and that reducing demand is crucial to preserve stored water.