England has recorded more confirmed drought-related environmental incidents in 2026 than in the whole of either 2022 or 2025, according to new figures published by the Environment Agency.
In its latest drought update, covering 9 to 15 October and published on 16 October, the regulator reported 403 confirmed incidents attributed to drought and dry weather since the start of the year. That compares with 380 incidents in 2022 and 321 in 2025.
The Environment Agency cautioned that the 2026 total could rise further because of reporting delays. It also said drought-related incidents are likely to have been under-recorded across the years being compared.
Reservoir storage remains exceptionally low
National reservoir storage stands at 54% of capacity, approximately 21 percentage points below the long-term average for this time of year. Eighteen reservoir groups are less than half full and 11 reservoirs or groups are classified as exceptionally low.
The agency identified exceptionally low stocks at sites including Hanningfield in Essex, Grafham Water and Rutland Water, as well as Wimbleball and Colliford in the South West. Although some northern reservoirs have benefited from rainfall, the agency said the national position had not significantly recovered.
Fish deaths, algae and reduced river flows
The confirmed total includes 99 dead-fish incidents and 41 algae incidents attributed to drought and dry weather so far in 2026. The agency has also recorded 186 confirmed abstraction or low-flow incidents.
Areas reporting relatively high numbers of drought and dry-weather incidents include Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, East Anglia, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire and North London, the West Midlands and the Thames area.
While river flows increased at many monitoring sites following rainfall, most remained below normal for the time of year. The regulator said sustained, significant rainfall would be needed to restore water resources in many areas.
Concerns for farming in 2027
The prolonged dry conditions are also raising concerns about next year's growing season. Farmers who rely on stored water for irrigation may struggle to refill reservoirs during the winter, particularly in central and southern England.
The Environment Agency has introduced conditional flexibility allowing some existing abstraction licence holders to take water outside their usual authorised period during October to help refill storage reservoirs. Restrictions designed to protect rivers remain in place elsewhere.
Severe drought declaration remains in force
The new figures follow the government's declaration of severe drought on 15 October in parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex. Ministers said the measure was intended to strengthen preparations and safeguard public water supplies.
The latest Environment Agency update did not announce additional temporary water-use bans. Its new finding is the extent of confirmed environmental damage and the continuing pressure on reservoirs, rivers and agricultural water supplies.
The figures should not be described as an all-time record: the agency specifically compares 2026 with the annual totals for 2022 and 2025.