LONDON: England could face its most severe drought in decades next year, with government agencies and water companies drafting emergency plans that extend beyond traditional hosepipe bans, The Guardian reported.
According to the British daily, executives from a major water company said they were “extremely concerned” about the likelihood of another dry winter, as the national meteorological service predicts below-average rainfall. If current trends persist, they warned, the government may have to impose drastic water restrictions to prevent a nationwide crisis.
While much of England experienced drought conditions this summer, last year’s higher rainfall had initially buffered reservoirs and groundwater reserves. But months of record-dry weather have now drained those reserves, and recent precipitation has done little to reverse the deficit.
National reservoir storage levels have fallen to around 63 percent — significantly below the seasonal average of 76 percent — with some reservoirs in southern England dipping below 30 percent, the report said. Groundwater replenishment, a process that naturally takes longer, also remains alarmingly low.
Water Restrictions Expanding Across the South
In parts of southern England, local utilities have already applied for new restrictions on commercial water use. These include bans on washing building exteriors, filling swimming pools, and other non-essential activities.
Alastair Chisholm, policy director at the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, warned that “a second consecutive dry winter is when things start to get serious.” Without substantial rainfall through the coming winter and spring, England could face more drought orders, tighter usage limits, and severe pressure on rivers and public water supplies.
Fragile Water Security and Long-Term Risks
Experts quoted in The Guardian noted that England’s long-term water security has become increasingly fragile due to a combination of factors — a growing population, rising summer temperatures, and an outdated infrastructure that hasn’t seen new reservoir construction in over three decades.
They cautioned that the country’s reliance on regular rainfall to sustain supply is no longer sustainable, and that long-term investments in water storage, recycling, and conservation systems are urgently needed to prevent future crises.
