UK drought & reservoir tracker
How full England's reservoirs are, and which areas the Environment Agency has flagged for prolonged dry weather — updated from the EA's water situation reports.
Source data 18 September 2026 · last checked 20 September 2026, 12:28 · EA water situation report, week of 11 to 17 september 2026
Are we in a drought right now?
Yes — 10 areas of England are officially in drought, as declared by the Environment Agency. Reservoirs across England are 56.1% full, below the long-term average of 75.8% for this point in the year.
From the Environment Agency’s latest water situation report (week of 11 to 17 september 2026). Drought is declared by region, not nationally — and hosepipe bans are a separate decision taken by each water company, so you can face restrictions without an official drought.
What the official drought stages mean
England doesn’t simply flip between “fine” and “drought”. The Environment Agency moves through a sequence of stages, and knowing which one you’re in tells you what tends to happen next:
Normal — rainfall, river flows and reservoir stocks sit within their usual range for the time of year.
Prolonged dry weather — the early-warning stage. Rainfall has been below average long enough to show up in rivers, groundwater or reservoirs, and monitoring steps up. Restrictions often start being discussed here.
Drought — declared for a region once the shortfall becomes significant. Expect hosepipe bans, and limits on what farms and businesses can abstract.
Severe drought — the most serious stage, where supply itself is at risk and stronger measures such as non-essential use bans come into play.
The marker shows the long-term average for this time of year (75.8%).
Areas in drought
As listed in the Environment Agency’s report (week of 11 to 17 september 2026).
Areas in prolonged dry weather
The early-warning stage, from the same report (week of 11 to 17 september 2026).
Source: Environment Agency — Dry weather and drought in England (weekly summary) — week of 11 to 17 september 2026. "Prolonged dry weather" is the Environment Agency's formal status that precedes drought; "drought" is declared per EA area. Always check your own water company for local restrictions.
Common questions
Are we in a drought in the UK right now?
Yes — 10 areas of England are officially in drought as declared by the Environment Agency, with reservoirs 56.1% full.
What is the current UK drought status?
The Environment Agency publishes a weekly water situation report for England. In the latest one (week of 11 to 17 september 2026), reservoir stocks stand at 56.1% against a long-term average of 75.8%, with 4 areas in prolonged dry weather and 10 in official drought. Status is set regionally, not for the whole country.
What are the drought levels in order?
Normal, then prolonged dry weather (the early-warning stage, where the Environment Agency steps up monitoring), then drought (declared regionally — usually bringing hosepipe bans and abstraction limits), then severe drought, where supplies themselves are at risk. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use their own frameworks.
Can there be a hosepipe ban without an official drought?
Yes, and it happens often. Hosepipe bans — formally 'temporary use bans' — are decided by each water company based on its own reservoir and river levels, not by the Environment Agency's drought status. You can face a ban while your region is only in prolonged dry weather.
How full are England's reservoirs right now?
Reservoir stocks are 56.1% of capacity in the latest Environment Agency report, below the long-term average of 75.8% for this point in the year. This page updates automatically as new reports are published.
Get told when the picture changes
We watch the EA reports and every water company. Leave your email and we'll tell you when drought status or a hosepipe ban changes near you.