Will there be a shortage of water in the UK? What reservoirs and drought data show

Will there be a shortage of water?

The question is being searched as South West Water asks customers in Devon and Cornwall to "continue to use water wisely". The short answer from the official record: England is in a drought, which is a shortage of rain, and the response so far is restrictions on non-essential use, not taps running dry. On 20 October the water minister, Emma Hardy, said: "While customer water supplies will not be interrupted, declaring a severe drought allowed us to ensure proactive steps are taken to safeguard water."

That is not the same as no pressure. The Environment Agency's report for 30 October to 5 November says: "Public water supplies remain under pressure in some drought-affected areas despite good rainfall in October." Our story on why Storm Austen won't end the drought follows the weekly figures in more detail.

Where England's reservoirs stand

The agency's newest report says: "Total storage for England rose to 60.1% as of 3 November, although this remains 17% below average for the time of year." It was 57.9% as of 27 October. Fifteen reservoirs are less than half full and eight reservoirs or groups are exceptionally low; just three are normal for the time of year. These are England's figures only.

October helped: England had 101mm of rain, 112% of the long-term average. But the agency's October water situation report says April to October was "the ninth driest April to October period for England since records began in 1871", with 72% of average rainfall. The first week of November was very dry, with an average of 2mm across England, and river flows fell at every site the agency reports on.

The South West is lowest. South West Water's own figure for its area was 36% on 11 November, against 57% at the same point last year. On 12 November the company said: "The South West is in a critical phase of an exceptionally prolonged drought."

Drought areas and hosepipe bans

"There have been no changes to Environment Agency drought status this week," the agency says. Eleven of its areas in England are in drought: Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly; Wessex; Kent and South London; Solent and South Downs; East Anglia; Hertfordshire and North London; Thames; the West Midlands; the East Midlands; Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire; and Yorkshire. Parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and East and West Sussex are in severe drought. The Northeast is in prolonged dry weather, and two areas in the North West moved to recovery on 28 October.

Ten water companies have hosepipe bans in force: South East Water, Southern Water (Hampshire and the Isle of Wight), Anglian Water, Affinity Water (central and east regions), Cambridge Water, Thames Water, Essex and Suffolk Water, South West Water, Wessex Water and Bristol Water. The report lists none lifted. Our hosepipe ban tracker shows whether your area is covered, and our drought tracker carries each weekly figure.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

The reservoir figures above are England's. In Wales, Natural Resources Wales said on 5 November that "Southeast Wales, Northeast Wales & Upper Severn catchments, remain in drought", with the southwest and northwest in recovery. Welsh Water's hosepipe ban page says: "There are now no restrictions in place for Welsh Water customers."

In Scotland, SEPA's report of 29 October was headed "Stormy weather brings widespread recovery in eastern Scotland after months of water scarcity". Seven catchments remained at early warning, none at alert or scarcity, and it was SEPA's last weekly report of 2026. We found no hosepipe ban or drought notice in Northern Ireland Water's recent news.

What it would take to end the drought

The agency says: "We need at least 120% of average rainfall over the next 6 months for the entire country to be out of drought by next spring." Its outlook for the week after the report was dry: "High pressure is expected to dominate much of England next week, bringing mainly dry conditions with little rainfall expected."

The agency also says it expects "water companies to follow their drought plans and act early to ensure there are sufficient supplies." Three companies, South East Water, South West Water and Southern Water, have applied for drought orders banning some non-essential uses of water; the government said on 20 October these were under consideration by the Environment Secretary.

What it means at home

If your company has a hosepipe ban, its rules apply: South West Water's, for example, covers watering the garden, washing the car and filling a paddling pool with a hosepipe, and says: "Water can still be used as normal for drinking, washing and cooking." Our guide to hosepipe ban rules covers what is allowed.

The UK Health Security Agency's drought advice is clear on health: "Do not reduce your water intake in an attempt to conserve water," and keep washing your hands. It suggests showers instead of baths. South West Water says a leaking toilet can waste up to 400 litres a day. If your taps ever do stop, our guide to what to do when there's no water supply covers your rights.