A severe drought has been declared in six areas of England, with some reservoirs reaching critically low levels, threatening public water supplies. The affected regions include Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex, and West Sussex. This declaration follows the UK's hottest summer on record, prompting urgent measures to secure water supplies.
Current Situation
Despite the ongoing crisis, Environment Secretary Angela Eagle has not yet approved requests from three water companies—two of which are in the drought-affected areas—to impose non-essential user bans on businesses, including golf clubs and commercial car washes. Emma Hardy, the water minister, expressed concerns about the environmental impact of the drought, instructing the Environment Agency to prioritize public water supply protection in these areas.
““This level of drought is something we have not experienced for decades, so this government is stepping up our support and planning,” said Eagle. “We are working closely with water companies to protect public supplies in the areas affected, and I’d continue to urge everyone to think about how they can use water wisely over the coming weeks.”
