Drought - Summer 2026
Managing your water during drought
Drought conditions have placed growing pressure on water resources and the environment.
We introduced a hosepipe ban from 00:01am on Thursday 27 August across the Bristol Water supply area. This is to protect water resources in the River Severn, following a drought order by the Environment Agency.
We're closely monitoring the situation, managing supplies carefully and continuing to invest in our network and water resources to help maintain water supplies for our customers and communities. We are also fixing more leaks than ever before and are currently exceeding our planned targets for leak repairs, helping to reduce water loss across our network and make the best use of available water resources.
Reduced rainfall means that river levels in some areas are lower than would normally be expected for this time of year. To help protect the environment during periods of dry weather, Bristol Water releases water from reservoirs to support river flows, while continuing to supply drinking water to homes, businesses and communities across the region. When river levels are lower earlier, the reservoir storage is used for a longer period of time for supply and to support river flows. Higher demand for example in heatwaves increases the amount of reservoir storage used each day.
We're also continuing to invest to strengthen resilience for future dry weather. At Bristol Water, we are significantly investing across 2025 and 2030 to improve water services, to strengthen resilience and enhance environmental performance across the region. This includes upgrading water treatment works, reducing leakage, expanding smart metering and improving connections across our water network.
Alongside investment in infrastructure, we're working in our drinking water catchments to help protect and improve the natural environment through projects including peatland restoration, reed bed creation and our award-winning Upstream Thinking programme.
Water is a precious resource, and prolonged dry conditions can place additional pressure on water supplies and the environment. That’s why every drop counts.
Simple actions at home and in the garden, such as taking shorter showers, turning off the tap while brushing your teeth and being mindful when watering plants, can make a real difference. By using water wisely, we can all help protect local rivers, wildlife and water supplies for everyone.
Find more information on how you can use less water.
Every Drop Counts. Small actions. A big difference.
Why has more than 70% of England been declared in drought
The declaration follows a prolonged period of exceptionally warm and dry weather. The UK has experienced five heatwaves this year and summer 2026 was among the driest on record.
Does this mean customers are at risk of losing water supplies?
No. Our water storage levels remain good across the region and we continue to carefully manage water supplies. The drought declaration reflects environmental conditions rather than an immediate change to our overall operational position.
Why are reservoir levels falling?
Reservoir levels naturally fall during prolonged dry weather because reduced rainfall means less water is available to replenish water sources.
In addition, we release water from reservoirs to help maintain river flows and protect wildlife and the environment. When rivers reach lower levels earlier in the year, reservoirs are used for longer periods to support both drinking water supplies and the natural environment.
Higher demand during hot weather can also increase the amount of water used each day.
Why are customers being asked to save water?
Water is a precious resource. Even when supplies remain resilient, using water wisely helps reduce pressure on rivers, reservoirs and groundwater sources, particularly during prolonged periods of dry weather.
Small actions taken by lots of people can make a meaningful difference.
What investment is being made to improve resilience?
We are investing £66 million between 2025 and 2030 to improve water services, strengthen resilience and enhance environmental performance. This includes:
- Reducing leakage
- Expanding smart metering
- Upgrading water treatment works
- Improving water network connectivity
- Protecting and enhancing the natural environment.
Why has a hosepipe ban been introduced?
We introduced a hosepipe ban from 00:01am on Thursday 27 August across the Bristol Water supply area. This is to protect water resources in the River Severn, following a drought order by the Environment Agency.
Please help safeguard essential water supplies for people and protect the health of river systems and wildlife habitats during the current drought conditions.
You must not use hosepipes for non-essential purposes while the ban is in place.
What is the main message for customers?
We’ve experienced an exceptionally hot and dry summer, and every drop counts. By using water wisely, customers can help protect local rivers, wildlife and water supplies during this period of exceptionally hot and dry weather.
Why has more than 70% of England been declared in drought
The declaration follows a prolonged period of exceptionally warm and dry weather. The UK has experienced five heatwaves this year and summer 2026 was among the driest on record.
Does this mean customers are at risk of losing water supplies?
No. Our water storage levels remain good across the region and we continue to carefully manage water supplies. The drought declaration reflects environmental conditions rather than an immediate change to our overall operational position.
Why are reservoir levels falling?
Reservoir levels naturally fall during prolonged dry weather because reduced rainfall means less water is available to replenish water sources.
In addition, we release water from reservoirs to help maintain river flows and protect wildlife and the environment. When rivers reach lower levels earlier in the year, reservoirs are used for longer periods to support both drinking water supplies and the natural environment.
Higher demand during hot weather can also increase the amount of water used each day.
Why are customers being asked to save water?
Water is a precious resource. Even when supplies remain resilient, using water wisely helps reduce pressure on rivers, reservoirs and groundwater sources, particularly during prolonged periods of dry weather.
Small actions taken by lots of people can make a meaningful difference.
What investment is being made to improve resilience?
We are investing £66 million between 2025 and 2030 to improve water services, strengthen resilience and enhance environmental performance. This includes:
- Reducing leakage
- Expanding smart metering
- Upgrading water treatment works
- Improving water network connectivity
- Protecting and enhancing the natural environment.
Why has a hosepipe ban been introduced?
We introduced a hosepipe ban from 00:01am on Thursday 27 August across the Bristol Water supply area. This is to protect water resources in the River Severn, following a drought order by the Environment Agency.
Please help safeguard essential water supplies for people and protect the health of river systems and wildlife habitats during the current drought conditions.
You must not use hosepipes for non-essential purposes while the ban is in place.
What is the main message for customers?
We’ve experienced an exceptionally hot and dry summer, and every drop counts. By using water wisely, customers can help protect local rivers, wildlife and water supplies during this period of exceptionally hot and dry weather.
Why has more than 70% of England been declared in drought
The declaration follows a prolonged period of exceptionally warm and dry weather. The UK has experienced five heatwaves this year and summer 2026 was among the driest on record.
Does this mean customers are at risk of losing water supplies?
No. Our water storage levels remain good across the region and we continue to carefully manage water supplies. The drought declaration reflects environmental conditions rather than an immediate change to our overall operational position.
Why are reservoir levels falling?
Reservoir levels naturally fall during prolonged dry weather because reduced rainfall means less water is available to replenish water sources.
In addition, we release water from reservoirs to help maintain river flows and protect wildlife and the environment. When rivers reach lower levels earlier in the year, reservoirs are used for longer periods to support both drinking water supplies and the natural environment.
Higher demand during hot weather can also increase the amount of water used each day.
Why are customers being asked to save water?
Water is a precious resource. Even when supplies remain resilient, using water wisely helps reduce pressure on rivers, reservoirs and groundwater sources, particularly during prolonged periods of dry weather.
Small actions taken by lots of people can make a meaningful difference.
What investment is being made to improve resilience?
We are investing £66 million between 2025 and 2030 to improve water services, strengthen resilience and enhance environmental performance. This includes:
- Reducing leakage
- Expanding smart metering
- Upgrading water treatment works
- Improving water network connectivity
- Protecting and enhancing the natural environment.
Why has a hosepipe ban been introduced?
We introduced a hosepipe ban from 00:01am on Thursday 27 August across the Bristol Water supply area. This is to protect water resources in the River Severn, following a drought order by the Environment Agency.
Please help safeguard essential water supplies for people and protect the health of river systems and wildlife habitats during the current drought conditions.
You must not use hosepipes for non-essential purposes while the ban is in place.
What is the main message for customers?
We’ve experienced an exceptionally hot and dry summer, and every drop counts. By using water wisely, customers can help protect local rivers, wildlife and water supplies during this period of exceptionally hot and dry weather.