News

Drought Status Declared For Yorkshire

The north-west of England was classified as being in drought on May 21st after the driest spring in 132 years – and now Yorkshire has followed suit, declared to be in drought on June 12th, with river flows and groundwater levels all in decline because of dry conditions in March, April and May.

Yorkshire itself saw just 66 per cent of the long-term average rainfall in May, while England as a whole saw only 57 per cent. Prolonged dry weather was also seen in the north-east, the east and the West Midlands.

The Environment Agency will now be increasing its operational responses in the region, while ensuring that water suppliers deliver on the actions set out in their drought plans, including accelerating water leak detection and repair, and communicating effectively with customers on how to reduce demand.

What impact can dry weather have?

Prolonged periods of dry weather leads to low river flow, which has a direct impact on the natural environment, wildlife and biodiversity.

Low oxygen levels in water, for example, can increase algal blooms and cause fish kills. Less water in the river itself can also make it harder for wildlife to move up and downstream.

Wildfires can also increase as a result, causing severe damage to vulnerable areas of moorland and heathland. Yorkshire has already seen numerous wildfires on the Pennine moorland, including at Wessenden, Marsden Moor and Rishworth Moor.

Another aspect to consider is food security, which can be put at risk because of drought, with crop failure a major consequence.

Clare Barrow, planning and engagement manager with the Environment Agency, commented on the Yorkshire development, saying: “Our climate is changing, and we had 22 days of almost no recorded rainfall in May.

“While we have had some rain at the start of June, it has not been enough to reverse the impacts of the prolonged dry weather.

“We are working with Yorkshire Water to make sure they enact their drought plans. We also encourage people to be aware of the environmental impacts of droughts as we enter the summer period and note the small steps we can all take to save water.”

What is Yorkshire Water doing about drought?

Met Office data shows that spring 2025 was the warmest spring in Yorkshire for mean temperature since records began back in 1884.

Reservoir stocks in the region dropped 0.51 per cent in the second week of June to 62.3 per cent, prompting the utility company to remind customers about the importance of saving water. Reservoir stocks for this time of year are typically at 85.5 per cent.

Currently, customers are not immediately affected by this drought declaration and the firm will forge ahead with its efforts to drive down leakage rates across the region, while managing water resources and helping domestic and non-domestic customers reduce demand.

Director of water Dave Kaye said: “We’ve seen water demand decrease in recent weeks thanks to the welcome rainfall and the efforts of our customers to save water.

“We had one of the driest springs on record, which has impacted our reservoir levels, meaning they are much lower than normal for this time of year. Without significant rainfall in the coming months, temporary usage restrictions are a possibility.”

Customers are also being advised to check for leaky toilets onsite by listening for trickling water between flushes.

Faulty appliances like this can waste up to 400 litres of water per day, as well as waiting to do laundry until there’s a full load for the machine, using eco settings wherever possible and turning off the tap when brushing teeth to save ten litres each time.

In the garden, using bark and mulch around plants, trees and shrubs can reduce water evaporation by 75 per cent, while keeping on top of weeding can also help ensure that plants you want get water resources, rather than plants you don’t.

Business water-saving tips

Companies are particularly well placed to help save water and reduce pressure on supplies during periods of drought.

Strategies such as greywater reuse, rainwater recycling, water leak detection and repair, and water monitoring can all prove especially fruitful.

The first step towards saving water (which will also save your company money in the long run!) is to have an audit of your site carried out. This will show you how and where you use resources, so you can identify the best conservation methods for your organisation.

If you’d like to find out more about water efficiency, get in touch with the H2o Building Services team today.