Qurexa Logo
Qurexa

Trust. Care. Deliver.

Back to Blog & Insights
Lifestyle

Under half full, when it should be three-quarters

Qurexa Editorial Team3 October 20265 min read 0 0
Under half full, when it should be three-quarters

What happened

On 2 October 2026 the Environment Agency and Defra said England's drought is far from over. Reservoir storage across England is now below 50% full. For the start of October, the expected level is 74.3%. That is a very large gap. Some individual reservoirs are much lower. Ardingly in West Sussex is at 23% of capacity. Wimbleball in Somerset is at 21%. September 2026 brought 65% of the rainfall England would normally expect. It was the sixth month in a row with below-average rainfall. The shortfall was worst in the east and south-east. East England had 52% of average rainfall. South East England had 57%. Central England had 59%. South West England had 69%. On the same day, the Environment Agency granted a drought permit to help Ardingly Reservoir. The Water Minister, Emma Hardy, said water companies "must urgently take every possible step to conserve what remains, quickly fix leaks, reduce demand". The Environment Agency's Chief Executive, Philip Duffy, said: "The drought is far from over... we all need to use water wisely."

Why this matters

Most of us think of drought as a summer problem. Hosepipe bans, brown lawns, a hot August. That is the wrong mental model. Reservoirs are refilled mainly in autumn and winter, when rain falls on already wet ground and runs into rivers and reservoirs rather than being soaked up or evaporated. The refill season has just started, and it has started from an unusually low position. So a dry October and November would matter more than a dry July. If the recharge season underperforms, next spring and summer begin in trouble. There is a second reason this is worth following. Low water levels affect more than taps. Rivers get warmer and shallower, which is hard on fish and wildlife. Farmers face decisions about irrigation and planting. And water companies may seek more drought permits, which allow them to take water in ways normally restricted. For households, the immediate effect is likely to be continued restrictions in some areas and pressure to cut use. That is a reasonable thing to ask, and it is also the cheapest form of water supply there is.

What the evidence actually says

The figures here are measurements, not forecasts, and that is worth appreciating. Reservoir storage below 50% against an expected 74.3% is a recorded level. September rainfall at 65% of average is a recorded total. Six consecutive below-average months is a count. What the announcement does not do is predict the winter. Nobody published a figure in this release for how much rain is needed to recover, because that depends on how and when it falls. Steady rain over weeks refills reservoirs. The same total arriving in two days largely runs off and causes floods instead. It is also worth being precise about the regional picture. Southern and central England are worst affected, with the biggest rainfall deficits in the east and south-east. That does not mean the whole country is equally short. If you live in the north or west, your local position may be better than the national headline. The Environment Agency and Defra publish weekly rainfall and river flow reports and monthly drought summaries. If you want the position for your own area rather than for England as a whole, those are the documents to look at.

Practical advice

Check your water company's website for restrictions where you live. Rules differ by region, and they change. Fix drips. A dripping tap can waste a surprising amount over a month, and the washer costs pennies. Shorter showers do more than most other changes. Taking two minutes off a daily shower saves more water over a year than almost anything else a household can do. Only run the washing machine and dishwasher when full. Half-full loads use nearly as much water as full ones. Fill a jug of water for the fridge rather than running the tap until it is cold. If you water a garden, do it early or late so less evaporates, and water the soil rather than the leaves. A good soak twice a week beats a light sprinkle every day. Many water companies give away free water-saving devices - shower timers, tap inserts, cistern bags. They cost you nothing and the company is usually glad to send them. If you are on a water meter and struggling with bills, ask your supplier about social tariffs. Most have one, and many eligible households never claim it.

What to know

England's reservoirs are below 50% full, against an expected 74.3% for early October. Ardingly in West Sussex is at 23% and Wimbleball in Somerset at 21%. September 2026 rainfall was 65% of average nationally, with East England at 52%, the South East at 57%, Central England at 59% and the South West at 69%. It was the sixth consecutive below-average month. A drought permit was granted for Ardingly. Autumn and winter are when reservoirs normally refill, so the next few months matter more than the summer did. Check your own water company for local restrictions, and ask about free water-saving devices and social tariffs. Sources: Environment Agency and Defra (GOV.UK), 'England's reservoirs continue to feel drought strain after sixth dry month of 2026', 2 October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/englands-reservoirs-continue-to-feel-drought-strain-after-sixth-dry-month-of-2026; Environment Agency (GOV.UK), 'Drought permit granted to help Ardingly Reservoir', 2 October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/drought-permit-granted-to-help-ardingly-reservoir; Environment Agency (GOV.UK), 'Dry weather and drought in England 2026: summary reports', 2 October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dry-weather-and-drought-in-england-2026-summary-reports This article is for general information. For advice about your water supply, bills or restrictions, contact your water company.

#drought#water#environment agency#reservoirs#rainfall#household bills

Related articles