The Environment Agency has published a research report setting out the factual timeline of how the 2025 drought developed through the year in England.

Drought has been declared in Sussex for the area supplied by South East Water due to declining water levels at Ardingly Reservoir.

Last week South East Water applied to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on Friday 10 October for a Drought Order to help conserve the remaining water stored within its Ardingly Reservoir and protect drinking water supplies in Sussex.

Following last month's pausing of its River Test Drought Order application, Southern Water has announced it has now formally withdrawn from this process.

The Environment Agency has issued a drought permit that will allow Yorkshire Water to reduce how much water is released from the Grimwith Reservoir to “top up” natural flows within the River Wharfe.

Southern Water has issued a statement clarifying its recent application for a Drought Order at the River Test following what it describes as “misleading media coverage”.

South West Water is urging customers to reduce non-essential water usage by extending the Temporary Use Ban, otherwise known as a hosepipe ban, which is already in place in Cornwall and parts of North Devon, to other parts of Devon.

A series of drought measures have been granted in Yorkshire, which will allow Yorkshire Water to protect reservoir levels through winter and into 2023 as the region's reservoirs remain below usual levels despite recent rainfall.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has granted an application by the Environment Agency for a drought order under Section 73 of the Water Resources Act 1991.

The National Drought Group is meeting this morning as the Environment Agency is warning that parts of England could enter “drought” status due to the prolonged dry weather and record temperatures.