The Environment Agency has confirmed that drought conditions persist across much of England, despite heavy rainfall over the past week. Around 71% of England by land area remains in drought status, with no change to the official drought classification.
Rainfall below average despite storms
Although thunderstorms and heavy rain have triggered more than 40 flood alerts on 27 August, the Environment Agency says August rainfall to date is only 34% of what would normally be expected for the time of year. The agency noted that flooding can occur during a drought and is often localised and short-lived.
While some rivers have responded to the recent rainfall, the agency cautioned that this would be "short-lived" if dry weather returns. Most rivers across England are still classed as "below normal" or lower for the time of year, with more than half rated as either "notably low" or "exceptionally low".
Reservoir storage declines further
The decline in reservoir storage for England has slowed but still fell by 2.7% this week, leaving average storage below 60%. This is over 18% below the average for the time of year. Nine major reservoirs are classed as having exceptionally low storage, two more than last week.
Months of unusually dry and hot summer weather have left all of Wales and large parts of England in drought status. Remaining areas are in the stage before a drought, known as prolonged dry weather.
Hosepipe bans in force
Water restrictions remain in place across much of England. Bristol Water became the latest company to impose a hosepipe ban, announcing a temporary use ban across its area on August 26, effective from August 27. This means approximately 30 million people now have restrictions on their water use.
Areas in drought status include East Anglia, Hertfordshire and North London, Thames, Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, West Midlands, Wessex, Kent and South London, Solent and South Downs, East Midlands, and Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire. Areas in prolonged dry weather include the Northeast, Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire, and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.
Hosepipe bans are in force for customers of Affinity Water (Central and East regions), Anglian Water (excluding Hartlepool), Bristol Water, Cambridge Water, Essex and Suffolk Water, Southern Water (Hampshire and the Isle of Wight), South East Water, South West Water (excluding Bournemouth), Thames Water, and Wessex Water.
