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.

Yorkshire Water will begin drilling new test boreholes at its East Ness water treatment site in North Yorkshire this week to increase the water available for supply to customers in the area, as part of its long-term water resource management plan.

A new report is warning that the Government risks significant increases in consumer water bills and missing its housebuilding targets unless it launches an Olympic-style national champion for reservoirs and hands new powers to regional Mayors.

The latest weekly Water Scarcity Report (18-25 September) from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows that while conditions have eased in many parts of Scotland, eight catchments remain at the highest level of water scarcity.

The Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development has published its Annual Review for April 2024 to March 2025 period which flags up RAPID's achievements and areas for improvement. Key concerns highlighted by stakeholders include capacity and delivery confidence, with supply chain readiness, funding models, and programme management identified as areas of uncertainty.

Following the hottest summer on UK record according to the Met Office, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has confirmed that no temporary use measures, or hosepipe bans, will be needed across its operating area this year.

Ofwat has launched consultations on its draft decisions to allow solutions for two Strategic Resource Options in the RAPID programme to continue to receive development funding to proceed to Gate 4.

The West Country Water and Environment regional group has launched its public consultation on a proposal for the Cheddar 2 Reservoir and Transfer Project – the new reservoir and pipeline will play a pivotal role in creating a sustainable and resilient water supply for over 100,000 people in the West Country.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is warning that six areas of Scotland are now at Significant Scarcity, the highest level, as prolonged dry conditions continue across the east.

The South West Peatland Partnership is gearing up to start its 2025/26 peatland restoration season on Dartmoor, continuing work to restore and protect the peat of the globally significant landscape.