Every Drop Counts - Come Rain or Shine

Using water wisely is important all year round.

Split picture with half the image of a garden on a sunny day and half the image of a garden on a rainy day

Every drop counts this autumn

After a hot, dry summer with below-average rainfall, using water wisely helps protect this vital resource.

This summer, we experienced five heatwaves and the Environment Agency (EA) declared over 70% of England in drought. The hot weather increased demand, and water resources have come under increasing pressure across the region.

Although we have now had some rain, rivers, reservoirs and groundwater sources will take time to recover.

The Met Office has warned that global weather patterns could increase the risk of extreme weather into next year, highlighting the importance of using water wisely.

Find out more information about how we are managing drought.

Taking simple steps to use less water can make a big difference. Every Drop Counts. Small actions. A big difference.

Save water this autumn

An update on our water resources

This year's drought conditions have resulted in a significant impact to the River Severn, one of our major sources, leading to the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales applying for a drought order to protect this essential water source.

As a result, we need to act responsibly and we are working closely with both agencies to support this vital natural water environment.

Check current reservoir levels

Stay safe around reservoirs this summer

During the summer heatwaves, we know the reservoirs can be tempting to visit, but it can be extremely dangerous. Find out more about keeping safe when you visit our reservoirs.

Reservoir Safety

Tough on leaks

We have an ongoing programme to find and fix leaks, which helps to reduce water waste. We’re also investing in parts of the network to make them more leakproof.

We don’t only help with leaks on our parts of the network – if you find and repair a leak on your home’s pipework, you might be able to claim a contribution from us.

Our action on leaks

How we're investing in our network

We're improving our network for a more resilient future. Find out detailed information on our major mains replacement schemes below.

Current projects

Climate change is making weather less predictable

Our weather patterns are changing due to climate change. Hot, dry summers and wet, mild winters are becoming more common.

In the last decade, the number of days above 30C has trebled compared to the 1961-1990 average.

This makes it more challenging to ensure we can meet demand for water, especially in a prolonged dry period.

Our action on water resilience

Water quality and resilience is one of our key priorities. As well as reducing the amount of water lost to leaks, we’re investing in the network so we can store more water.

We use innovative systems to transport water to where it’s needed. Our future plans include building the Cheddar 2 reservoir, which will be a vital strategic resource.

Our Plan for Change 2025-30