Reservoirs critically low as severe drought declared across six areas of england, putting public water supplies under threat

Reservoirs under pressure

Drought conditions have affected the south-east and south-west of England, where reservoirs are particularly low. The regions experienced their driest April-to-September period in more than a century, with the climate crisis contributing to conditions.

Wimbleball reservoir is at 16% capacity. It supplies South West Water customers in East Devon, North Devon, Somerset and West Dorset, as well as Wessex Water customers in West Somerset.

Smaller South West Water reservoirs also raise concern. Drift and Stithians serve 56,000 households in Cornwall, while the Tottiford and Venford group supplies 47,000 homes in Devon.

Business restrictions sought

Three water companies have asked to extend restrictions on water use to businesses, including golf clubs and commercial car washes. Two of the companies operate in areas now classified as being in severe drought.

Environment Secretary Angela Eagle has not yet approved the requests. The proposals would limit non-essential business use of water amid concerns about supplies.

Monitoring and supply priorities

Hardy instructed the Environment Agency to give priority to protecting public water supplies in drought-hit areas when environmental rules and supply needs cannot both be met. Environment Agency chief executive Philip Duffy said water companies should follow their drought plans and take action to secure supplies. Hardy said officials were working with water companies to protect supplies and urged people to use water wisely in the coming weeks.