Four months of above average rainfall mean England’s water levels have now largely recovered from last year’s drought, the National Drought Group heard yesterday.

The National Drought Group has reiterated the importance of sectors continuing to plan and invest for all weather events, despite the third wettest autumn this century.

Experts are pushing for more investment now to ensure England is in the best possible position ahead of future droughts, the National Drought Group (NDG) heard this week.

Water companies have been warned that they must start planning now to avoid potentially significant water supply and environmental impacts next summer.

The National Drought Group is warning of growing concerns over the potential impacts of prolonged dry weather on the environment.

The National Drought Group is warning that low rainfall this winter and spring is causing increasing concern for water resource availability, both in surface water and groundwater abstraction for the forthcoming irrigation season, particularly in the east of England.

Experts from the Department for Food Environment and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency have asked the water companies to confirm that they are doing “everything possible to act early” to plan for possible pressure on water supplies next year.

The National Drought Group (NDG) has confirmed that there is currently no threat to essential water supplies - but warned that a drier than average winter would bring the risk of restrictions for water company customers.