Drought incidents hit a record as a dry September ends

The number of drought-related environmental incidents in England this year has passed the totals for both 2025 and the drought year of 2022, according to the Environment Agency's latest weekly report.

A total of 383 incidents have been recorded since the start of 2026, more than the 321 recorded in the whole of 2025 and the 380 in 2022. They include 36 incidents involving algae and 91 in which fish died.

A dry September

England had only 65 per cent of its average rainfall in September. The east and south east of England had around half their normal rain, while the north west had close to its usual amount.

In the last week of September, rainfall ranged from just 1 millimetre in the east to 12 millimetres in the north west and south west.

Rivers and reservoirs

River flows fell at around two thirds of the sites the agency monitors. Almost half were below normal for the time of year, and more than a quarter were notably low. In the north east of England, the River Ouseburn stopped flowing altogether.

Reservoir storage across England fell by 1.5 per cent in a week, to 55 per cent, and 16 reservoir groups were less than half full.

Still in drought

Ten Environment Agency areas, including the area that covers Birmingham, remain in drought status, and four are in prolonged dry weather status. About 30 million people across England are still affected by hosepipe bans imposed by ten water companies.

Philip Duffy, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said: "Drought is only over when groundwater, rivers, and reservoirs are back to normal levels, and that will take months of significant and sustained wet weather."

Why incidents matter

When rivers run low and warm, there is less water to dilute pollution and less oxygen in the water, which can kill fish and other wildlife. Algal blooms, some of which are toxic to people and pets, are more likely in warm, still water. Low flows can also leave fish stranded in isolated pools.

Birmingham's rivers

Birmingham's rivers, including the Rea, the Tame and the Cole, rely on rainfall and on water discharged from treatment works. Volunteers and conservation groups monitor their condition and report pollution, and the city's canals have also been affected by low water levels during dry spells.

How to help

• Use water wisely at home: take shorter showers, turn off the tap while brushing teeth, and fix leaks.
• Do not pour fats, oils or chemicals down drains, as they can end up in rivers.
• Report fish in distress, pollution or algae to the Environment Agency's 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
• Keep dogs out of water that looks green, scummy or smells unpleasant.

The outlook

More rain is expected in the coming weeks, with the Met Office forecasting a changeable October. But the Environment Agency says much more significant rainfall is needed for water resources to return to normal.

Groundwater

Groundwater, the water stored underground in rocks such as chalk and sandstone, is a vital source of drinking water and keeps many rivers flowing in dry weather. Levels are falling at many monitoring sites, and two sites in southern England are classed as exceptionally low. Groundwater usually recovers over the winter, when rain soaks into the ground, but a dry winter would leave levels low going into next spring and summer.