By Abdullahi Lukman
England is experiencing a nationally significant drought, with experts warning that dry conditions could persist into mid-autumn, placing pressure on water supplies and prompting urgent government action.
The National Drought Group convened to coordinate responses, while Environment Secretary Steve Reed briefed senior officials on the growing threat.
Water companies are preparing stricter conservation measures.
Southern Water, which has already imposed a hosepipe ban, has applied for a non-essential use ban targeting businesses—prohibiting activities like filling swimming pools and washing windows.
It also seeks emergency permission to extract water from a rare chalk stream that has dropped below ecologically safe levels.
Five regions—Yorkshire; Cumbria and Lancashire; Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire; the East Midlands; and the West Midlands—are officially in drought. River levels are at record lows, with the Wye and the Great Ouse at Ely registering the lowest July levels on record.
July saw just 89 percent of average rainfall, marking the sixth month of below-normal precipitation.
The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology forecasts that below-normal groundwater and river levels will continue through October.
Central and southern England, reliant on vulnerable chalk streams and aquifers, are especially affected. While London and nearby areas are currently buffered by deeper aquifers, more regions could face drought if the dry trend persists.
Sectors such as agriculture and inland navigation are already feeling the impact. Farmers are struggling with crop growth and livestock feeding, canals are closing due to low water, and fish die-offs are increasing.
The National Drought Group—which includes the government, Met Office, regulators, farmers, water companies, and conservation bodies—stressed the need for widespread water-saving efforts.
Met Office meteorologist, Dr. Will Lang, noted that warm, settled conditions may dominate August, with only limited rainfall expected.
Helen Wakeham, Director of Water at the Environment Agency and chair of the National Drought Group, urged public cooperation.
“We are calling on everyone to play their part and help reduce pressure on our water environment,” she said, emphasizing the responsibility of water companies to fix leaks and lead conservation efforts.