Severe drought declared in six areas of England as public water supplies under threat

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Some reservoirs in south-east and south-west at critically low levels as water companies call for non-essential user bans on businesses</p><p>A severe drought has been declared in six areas of England with some reservoirs at critically low levels, threatening public supplies.</p><p>Parts of Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex have moved into severe drought, and urgent measures are being taken to secure public supplies of water.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/15/severe-drought-declared-six-areas-england-public-water-supplies-threat">Continue reading...</a> This development from The Guardian highlights ongoing changes in the sector.