The Environment Agency has reviewed and updated its policy paper "Drought: how it is managed in England", with the updated version published on 8 April 2026. The document, first published on 2 July 2015, sets out how the agency works with government, water companies and others to manage water resources during a drought in England1.
In its update note, the agency said the review followed the drought of 2025. Key changes listed are a summary of the 2025 drought, updated facts and figures, lessons from 2025 and minor updates throughout the document1. The paper covers the impacts of drought in England, who is involved in planning, managing and responding, the actions taken to manage droughts, how drought is reported and communicated, and the agency's role in recovery and learning from drought events1.
"Following the drought of 2025, we have reviewed and updated our 'Drought: how it is managed in England' document to ensure it is still fit for purpose and reflects the events of the 2025 drought."
The update history shows earlier changes to the same document. On 3 June 2025 the agency updated its strategic overview of drought management in England, and the document "Drought response: our framework for England" was replaced by "Drought: how it is managed in England"1. On 23 September 2025, section 2.6, Private water supply mitigations, was updated to reflect current guidance1. A link to the "Drought: managing water supply" page was added on 2 March 20211.
The document applies to England1. Environment Agency area drought plans are available on request from the agency's National Customer Contact Centre, which can be reached by email at enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk or by telephone on 03708 506 506, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm; callers from outside the UK can use +44 (0) 114 282 53121. The updated document does not itself set out new restrictions or changes to water company measures, and no such measures are reported in it.
Why it matters for households
The document is the agency's account of how drought is managed in England, so its revision matters to households in England who depend on public water supply and on private supplies such as wells and boreholes. The September 2025 change to the private water supply mitigations section means that part of the guidance reflects current practice1. The paper also sets out who is involved in planning and responding to drought and how the agency reports on drought and communicates with others, which is the framework within which any future restrictions on water use would sit1. The updated facts and figures and the lessons from 2025 are the agency's own account of how the 2025 drought was handled; the document does not, in the material published, give advice to households on water use. Households wanting the area-level picture are directed by the agency to its area drought plans, available on request from its National Customer Contact Centre1. For practical guidance on heat and dry conditions, see the guide to heatwaves and drought.
What happens next
The updated document is published and in force as the agency's statement of how drought is managed in England1. No further dated steps are given in the update note. Area drought plans remain available on request from the National Customer Contact Centre1.
