The latest official picture
England entered October with water resources still under severe pressure. The Environment Agency says overall reservoir storage has fallen to 55%, roughly 19 percentage points below the long-term average for this point in the year. Ten Environment Agency areas remain in drought and all remaining areas are in prolonged dry weather status.
Around 30 million people are still under temporary use bans
Water demand has eased from summer peaks, but temporary use bans remain in place for around 30 million people. These restrictions are designed to protect public supply while reservoirs and groundwater continue to fall. The number has not materially changed in the latest weekly update.
Six reservoirs are exceptionally low
Six reservoirs or reservoir groups are now classed as exceptionally low. Ardingly in West Sussex was at 23% capacity in late September, while Wimbleball in Somerset was around 21%. Sixteen reservoir groups are below half full, and almost all tracked systems are below normal for the time of year.
| Indicator | Latest official figure |
|---|---|
| Overall England reservoir storage | 55% |
| Difference from seasonal average | about 19.4 percentage points below average |
| Environment Agency areas in drought | 10 |
| People affected by temporary use bans | around 30 million |
| Reservoirs/groups below 50% | 16 |
| Exceptionally low reservoirs/groups | 6 |
Rivers and groundwater are also under pressure
Reservoirs are only one part of the system. River flows fell at nearly two-thirds of monitored sites during the latest dry week, with almost all now below normal or lower for the season. Groundwater also continues its seasonal decline, creating a difficult starting point for winter recharge.
Why autumn rain does not instantly end a drought
After a long dry period, rainfall first has to wet soils and restore river flows before substantial recharge reaches aquifers and reservoirs. A few wet days can improve local conditions without repairing the national water balance. The Environment Agency says sustained significant rainfall is still needed for many water companies to return to normal resource conditions.
Environmental impacts are increasing
The agency has recorded more drought and low-flow incidents in 2026 than in several recent years. These include algae outbreaks, fish deaths and rivers or streams with critically low flows. Water abstraction restrictions have also expanded, affecting agriculture and other licensed users.
What households should do now
- Check whether a temporary use ban applies to your postcode.
- Fix leaking toilets and taps; small continuous leaks add up quickly.
- Use washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads.
- Avoid assuming autumn rain means restrictions have ended.
- Follow your water company and Environment Agency updates for local changes.
Could drought continue into 2027?
Yes, if autumn and winter rainfall stays below average. Water systems normally rely on winter to refill reservoirs and aquifers before spring demand rises. Starting the recharge season with exceptionally low stores means the margin for another dry winter is small. That does not mean shortages are inevitable, but recovery now depends heavily on sustained rainfall.
Bottom line
England’s drought is no longer just a summer story. Reservoirs remain unusually low at the start of October, restrictions still affect millions of people and environmental stress is growing. The key question for the next several months is whether rainfall is persistent enough to rebuild storage before the 2027 demand season begins.