The multi-stakeholder National Drought Group met last week to discuss the impact of the hottest June on record on reservoir and groundwater levels and river flows.

As of 20 June, total reservoir stocks for England were at 83% of their total capacity. Devon, Cornwall and parts of East Anglia remain in drought. In the Lake District, Haweswater and Thirlmere saw a decrease of 13% in reservoir stocks between the end of April and end of May 2023, while in the North East, the Teesdale reservoir group saw a 13% drop over this time.

The Group heard that:

• England has experienced potentially the hottest June on record, according to the Met Office, with temperatures soaring to 32.2°C on the hottest day.
• The Environment Agency is clear that planning for increasingly extreme weather is essential in order for everyone to be prepared for the impacts these events cause – both drought and flooding.
• Water companies, retailers, regulators, as well as the agricultural and environment sectors, must prepare now as bouts of hot, dry weather become more consistent, and take forward improvements for managing and responding to future droughts.
• All sectors are undertaking precautionary planning in the event that hot, dry weather continues into the summer, and continue to work closely together to support water supplies across the country.

The farming sector is working to improve drought resilience, to ensure water availability for the short and long term, helping overall food security.