South West Water has applied for a ban on non-essential water use for some businesses across parts of Devon and West Dorset, after a lack of significant rainfall following the hottest summer on record.

The latest report from the Environment Agency says drought is continuing to impact England’s reservoirs after the sixth dry month of 2026, with below average September rainfall compounding drought issues in southern and central England.

Thames Water has invited three consortia to tender for the construction of its proposed new reservoir in Oxfordshire - the £5.7 billion contract represents the largest water infrastructure investment in a generation and would create more than 1,000 jobs during construction.

To protect water supplies and the environment in Sussex, South East Water is today implementing further hosepipe restrictions for customers by removing exemptions.

Reservoir stocks in Yorkshire have risen for the first time in 13 weeks, following recent rainfall and the usual autumn reduction in water demand.

In its latest round of funding, Business Stream has awarded £100,000 from its annual Water Efficiency Fund to public sector projects, with the aim of helping even more organisations across Scotland to use water wisely.

Seven areas in eastern Scotland are now at Significant Scarcity, as the latest weekly Water Scarcity Report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows a contrasting picture across the country.

Thames Water has upgraded more than 90,000 business water meters to smart technology, as part of its biggest network upgrade in 150 years - more than half of the company's 170,000 metered business customers now have smart meters.

Jersey Water has published its investment priorities for the second year of its strategy to 2030 and confirmed its water charges for 2027 - plans include a major multi-million pound desalination plant upgrade.

Anglian Water has launched a preliminary market engagement exercise inviting suppliers to register their interest in the upcoming £60 million procurement for its £60 million Fens and Lincolnshire Reservoirs Early Works Partner (EWP).