Full Breakdown
Severe Drought Declared Across Southern England: Government Response and Water-Supply Pressures
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – Declaration and Immediate Measures
In early October the Environment Agency declared severe drought across parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex, affecting around 50 million people (over 80 % of England). Water and Flooding Minister Emma Hardy told the House of Commons the situation stemmed from “exceptionally low rainfall” and depleted reservoirs. She said supplies would not be interrupted but the declaration triggers safeguards, with water companies ordered to monitor reservoir and river levels daily and tighten water-quality checks.
Background & Context – Recent Drought History
The south-west and south-east have recorded their driest April-to-September period in more than a century, the third drought in five years, according to Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Robbie Moore.
Data & Statistics – Reservoir Levels and Coverage
- Wimbleball (Somerset) – ?15 % capacity (South West Water)
- Roadford (Devon) – 36.8 % full
- Burrator (Devon) – 33.6 % full
- Colliford (Cornwall) – 35 % full
- Stithians (Cornwall) – 21.9 % full
- Ardingly (West Sussex) – 19.4 % full (4,773 million L)
The Agency expects reservoir storage to be about 75 % at this time of year and warned that 82 % of England remains in drought. Some areas would need 120 % of expected rainfall over the next six months to avoid worsening conditions.
Official Statements & Responses
Hardy highlighted a £15 million allocation for on-farm reservoirs and plans to ease abstraction rules for farmers. The Environment Agency urged “small changes” such as shorter showers and fixing leaks to protect supplies and wildlife.
Chief Executive Philip Duffy of South West Water warned that “record-breaking summer heat and severe drought have put our water resources under immense pressure” and called for reduced water use.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They cut the amount of water we need to take from rivers and groundwater, protecting supplies for people and leaving more for wildlife, wetlands and the natural systems we all depend on.” — Environment Agency
- “If you've got reservoirs that are running dry, there is obviously a problem.” — Rachel Gilmour
- “Record-breaking summer heat and severe drought have put our water resources under immense pressure.” — Philip Duffy
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Two sources give different figures for Wimbleball’s level—14.9 % (South West Water) versus 16 %—with no update to reconcile the discrepancy. The Agency has not specified concrete contingency measures if the 120 % rainfall target is missed.
What’s Next – Planned Actions and Outlook
- Water companies will keep daily monitoring and enforce stricter water-quality checks.
- The Agency will increase compliance inspections of abstractors.
- Officials warned that dry weather is expected for the rest of October, and further emergency measures could follow if conditions deteriorate.
- On August 8 the hose-pipe ban was extended to the entire South West Water area and will remain while deficits persist.
These steps aim to stabilise supplies while encouraging the public to adopt water-saving habits until rainfall replenishes the reservoirs.