Drought - Summer 2026
Managing your water during drought
While drought conditions are placing growing pressure on water resources and the environment, our water storage levels remain good across the region thanks to careful planning, investment and drought preparedness ahead of the summer season.
We're closely monitoring the situation, managing supplies carefully and continuing to invest in our network and water resources to help maintain resilient 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 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.
As always, water continues to be a precious resource, and prolonged dry conditions can place additional pressure on water supplies and the environment. That's why every drop still 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.
You can find more information here on how you can help to 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 three heatwaves this year and the period from March to July has been 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.
Are water supplies secure?
Yes. Through careful planning, investment and drought preparedness, our water resources position remains resilient. We continue to monitor conditions closely and take action where needed.
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.
If reservoir levels are falling, why are you saying water storage remains good?
Although reservoir levels have reduced following a prolonged dry period, storage levels remain within expected ranges across most of our region thanks to careful planning, investment and ongoing management of water resources.
Why are customers being asked to save water if storage levels remain good?
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.
Are hosepipe restrictions being planned?
There are currently no restrictions planned across our region.
We will continue to monitor weather forecasts, demand and water resources and will keep customers informed if the situation changes.
What is the main message for customers?
Our water resources remain resilient, but every drop still 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 three heatwaves this year and the period from March to July has been 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.
Are water supplies secure?
Yes. Through careful planning, investment and drought preparedness, our water resources position remains resilient. We continue to monitor conditions closely and take action where needed.
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.
If reservoir levels are falling, why are you saying water storage remains good?
Although reservoir levels have reduced following a prolonged dry period, storage levels remain within expected ranges across most of our region thanks to careful planning, investment and ongoing management of water resources.
Why are customers being asked to save water if storage levels remain good?
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.
Are hosepipe restrictions being planned?
There are currently no restrictions planned across our region.
We will continue to monitor weather forecasts, demand and water resources and will keep customers informed if the situation changes.
What is the main message for customers?
Our water resources remain resilient, but every drop still 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 three heatwaves this year and the period from March to July has been 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.
Are water supplies secure?
Yes. Through careful planning, investment and drought preparedness, our water resources position remains resilient. We continue to monitor conditions closely and take action where needed.
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.
If reservoir levels are falling, why are you saying water storage remains good?
Although reservoir levels have reduced following a prolonged dry period, storage levels remain within expected ranges across most of our region thanks to careful planning, investment and ongoing management of water resources.
Why are customers being asked to save water if storage levels remain good?
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.
Are hosepipe restrictions being planned?
There are currently no restrictions planned across our region.
We will continue to monitor weather forecasts, demand and water resources and will keep customers informed if the situation changes.
What is the main message for customers?
Our water resources remain resilient, but every drop still counts. By using water wisely, customers can help protect local rivers, wildlife and water supplies during this period of exceptionally hot and dry weather.