For the second consecutive month, rainfall totals for October were below average across England at 82% of the long term average, according to the Environment Agency’s latest water situation report for England.

Overall reservoir stocks for England have also decreased by 4% and now stand at  71% of total capacity.

Despite the below average rainfall, soil moisture deficits decreased by up to 65mm across all areas during October.

Monthly mean river flows decreased compared to September at just over half of the indicator sites. Flows were classed as normal or higher for the time of year at just over half of sites, with the rest ranging from below normal to exceptionally low for the time of year.

Groundwater levels decreased during October at all but 5 indicator sites, with the majority ranging from normal to below normal for the time of year.

Reservoir stocks decreased at all but one of the reported reservoirs and reservoir groups. Stocks remain normal or higher for the time of year at all sites in the south and east of England but are now below normal or lower at more than two-thirds of the sites supplying or located in central and northern England. Overall stocks for England decreased to 71% of total capacity.