England has experienced its driest start to spring in 69 years, prompting the Environment Agency (EA) to escalate its preparations for dry weather and call on water companies to act urgently. March 2025 marked the driest since 1961, and April saw just 50% of average rainfall, placing increasing pressure on the nation’s water resources.
At a meeting of the National Drought Group on May 7, the EA reported reservoir levels are notably or exceptionally low in the North East and North West—the driest start for both regions since 1929. Farmers have already begun early irrigation, and river flows are significantly below normal across northern and central England.
Water companies must go further and faster to cut leaks and build the infrastructure needed to secure our water supply - Water Minister, Emma Hardy
“We need to be prepared,” warned Richard Thompson, Deputy Director of Water at the EA. “The changing climate means we will see more summer droughts in the coming decades… It’s heartening to see more people looking to reduce their water use and we expect water companies to do more to cut leakage and rollout smart meters.”
Though no regions are currently classified as in drought, the EA cautions a medium risk remains for summer without sustained rainfall. The agency is now closely monitoring high-risk areas, engaging with farmers, and preparing public water-saving guidance.
Water Minister Emma Hardy did not mince words: “Our water infrastructure is crumbling after years of underinvestment. Water companies must go further and faster to cut leaks and build the infrastructure needed to secure our water supply.”
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has raised fresh concerns as some crops are already beginning to fail, with early May rainfall deemed critical to prevent significant yield penalties and further losses. NFU deputy president David Exwood stated: “The dry conditions and lack of any substantial rainfall has meant farmers in some parts of the country have started to irrigate crops much earlier than normal. The extreme weather patterns we have experienced over the past few years are impacting our ability to feed the nation.”
Several water companies are currently carrying out reservoir repair work, including Thames Water, which faces intense pressure during droughts due to the high population density in London and the Thames Valley. As scrutiny of the UK’s drought preparedness grows, industry sources say the forthcoming Cunliffe review is expected to explore new powers to compel water companies to collaborate on sharing water resources. This issue is gaining urgency as the Environment Agency tightens conditions on abstraction licences, limiting how much water companies can take from rivers to manage public supply.
The government has secured over £104 billion in private investment for essential infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs. With national reservoir storage at 84%—compared to 90% at the same time during the 2022 drought—water companies are being pushed to enact dry weather plans, improve communication with customers, and support responsible water use.
The EA’s forecast highlights urgent concerns: increasing wildfire risk in Cumbria, Derbyshire, and Dorset; declining river and reservoir levels; and mounting strain on agricultural water reserves. The public is being encouraged to help conserve water through small changes, such as shorter showers and harvesting rainwater.
Looking ahead, the EA warns that England must find an additional 5 billion litres of water daily by 2050 to meet future demand—a challenge demanding collective, immediate action.
