England is enduring a second, record-dry spell with drought declarations covering seven areas, including East Anglia, London, the Thames Valley, and the West Midlands, amid a heatwave pushing July 2026 toward the driest month on record.

The Environment Agency warns that this drought is already impacting farming, rivers, wildlife, and the economy, even as some reservoirs were replenished earlier by winter rainfall.

July 2026 is on track to be the driest month since records began, with rainfall levels nationally at about 7% of normal and as low as 1% in the south.

Public guidance emphasizes simple, daily water-saving actions, such as turning off taps while brushing teeth, taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, and avoiding unnecessary waste.

The Environment Agency has issued warnings about the severity of the drought and the need for proactive conservation and leak repair.

Officials urge the public to stay hydrated and to conserve water, highlighting benefits for nature, agriculture, and overall water security during the hot, dry period.

Experts attribute the heat and drought to climate change, underscoring risks to health, transport, and water resources and calling for preparedness and adaptation.

The National Drought Group met to review impacts and response actions, with water companies told to prioritise fixing leaks to protect supplies.

Helen Wakeham of the Environment Agency warns that water use currently outpaces natural replenishment and stresses long-term environmental, wildlife, and economic impacts, urging faster leak repairs.

Seven water suppliers have imposed temporary restrictions affecting about 23 million people as withdrawals from rivers and groundwater are tightened.

The drought declaration allows intensified monitoring, tighter water-abstracting rules, and closer coordination through the National Drought Group to manage the crisis.

Water Minister Emma Hardy emphasizes climate change heightening drought frequency and outlines ongoing investments in water infrastructure and leakage reduction to bolster resilience.