Drought Affecting Environment Agency Wessex Area
On 29th July 2026, the Environment Agency Wessex area moved from prolonged dry weather to drought status. The decision reflects the continued impacts of exceptionally hot and dry weather on river flows, groundwater levels, reservoirs and the wider environment across the region. The declaration of drought is intended to raise awareness of the severity of the situation and encourage action to conserve water and protect the environment.
The EA has issued a press release Drought declared in half of England - GOV.UK which describes the National situation.
Current Situation
July has been exceptionally dry, with rainfall only 3% of the long term average.
In combination with the continuing high temperatures, this limited rainfall means that our soils are much drier than normal and river flows across much of the region are exceptionally low, particularly within the Parrett, Tone and Hampshire Avon catchments.
Environmental impacts are becoming more widespread. Rivers and streams are experiencing prolonged periods of low flows, fish in distress incidents and fish mortality events are increasing, and algal blooms are being reported across several catchments. Water temperatures remain significantly higher than normal, placing additional pressure on aquatic habitats and wildlife.
Groundwater levels continue to decline across many aquifers and are now notably low in some locations
Water companies are experiencing higher than normal demand as a result of the prolonged warm weather. Reservoir storage levels have started to decline.
The Met Office outlook suggests that warm and generally dry conditions are likely to persist through August and into the autumn.
What we are doing
We are continuing to monitor the environment using both our telemetry systems and on-the ground observations. Our Environment Officers and Fisheries Officers are responding to environmental incidents caused by the drought, including fish in distress. We are checking that abstractors are complying with their licence conditions and working with partners, including the Internal Drainage Boards, water companies local councils and farmers to manage abstraction.
As the government body responsible for licencing abstractions and managing drought in England, we encourage all abstractors to use water in a sustainable way. This includes putting temporary limits on abstraction licences during low flows. We also ensure water companies have robust drought plans in place, should they need to activate them. It is water companies who make decisions regarding temporary use bans (TUBs), also known as hosepipe bans.
We understand how significant the current dry weather is for businesses, agriculture and organisations that rely on water abstraction. The situation is under careful and continual review, and we may share further information should the Drought status in Wessex change.
How You Can Help
The EA is a proud supporter of the Water Efficiency Campaign which provides clear information, practical guidance and tools to help households and businesses understand and reduce water use at home and at work.
All stakeholders are encouraged to use water as efficiently as possible and to review their abstraction activities carefully. Irrigation schedules and water management practices should be reviewed to ensure that only the water necessary for essential purposes is used.
Abstractors should familiarise themselves with the conditions of their abstraction.
Any sightings of fish in distress, fish deaths, pollution incidents or other environmental impacts should be reported to the Environment Agency Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60. Or Report an environmental problem - GOV.UK
Further Information
For further information please contact: Drought.WESSEX@environment-agency.gov.uk
Dry Weather Information and updates are available through the Environment Agency's engagement pages and GOV.UK. Dry weather and drought in England 2026: summary reports - GOV.UK