Over 70% of England declared in drought by the Environment Agency

The Environment Agency has declared over 70% of England in drought, including Bristol, following months of record dry and hot weather¹. The declaration is reported by Bristol Water in a notice dated 17 August 2026 and by SES Water, which also records that the country experienced five heatwaves this summer¹.

Bristol Water said leaky toilets are one of the most common sources of water loss in the home and often go unnoticed, with many leaks silent and allowing water to trickle continuously into the pan¹. It said a single leaking toilet can waste up to 400 litres of water a day¹. The company set out a four step toilet roll test for households: wait an hour after the last flush so the back of the pan is dry, press a few sheets of dry toilet paper against the back of the pan, leave it for a few minutes without flushing, then check whether the paper has become wet¹. It said that if the paper is wet the toilet may have a hidden leak, and that step by step advice on fixing common leaks is available on its website¹.

SES Water said the hot weather increased demand and water resources have come under increasing pressure across its region². It said that although there has now been some rain, rivers, reservoirs and groundwater sources will take time to recover, and that it is monitoring reservoir and groundwater levels closely while teams work to maintain supplies². It also said the Met Office has warned that global weather patterns could increase the risk of extreme weather into next year². SES Water said it is making a significant investment in its supply network to reduce leaks, and that leaks can waste a lot of water over time and might damage a home².

Why it matters for households

The declaration covers more than 70% of England, so households in a large part of the country are in an area the Environment Agency has classed as in drought¹. Bristol Water's notice is addressed to customers across its region, which includes Bristol¹. SES Water reports pressure on resources across its own region and says recovery of rivers, reservoirs and groundwater will take time even after rain². Both companies point to household water use: Bristol Water to silent toilet leaks wasting up to 400 litres a day, and SES Water to fixing leaky loos, switching to showers and checking pipes for leaks¹. SES Water states that with a meter, customers only pay for the water they use². The Environment Agency's own statement on the declaration has not been reported in these notices.

What happens next

No dated next steps are given in either notice. SES Water says it is monitoring reservoir and groundwater levels closely and maintaining supplies, and that its teams are working to keep water moving around the network². Bristol Water directs customers who find a leak to step by step repair advice on its website¹. The Met Office warning of a possible increased risk of extreme weather into next year is reported by SES Water without a date attached².

For the wider picture, see England's 2026 drought: where restrictions apply and how drought is declared in England and what each stage means. Household guidance is collected in the heatwaves and drought guide, with background on why UK summers are getting hotter and drier and on how much water to drink in hot weather. Water company planning is covered in water company drought plans: what they say and your say.