Midlands declared in drought following hot weather
Posted: 15 July 2025
The Environment Agency has today announced that the East and West Midlands have officially entered a drought following an extended period of hot weather and the driest June since 1976. 
Image description: Low water levels at Blithfield Reservoir
Our water resources are under threat
Recent prolonged periods of hot weather and low rainfall have impacted our water resources and customer demand.
The water level at Blithfield Reservoir, one of our main water sources, has dropped to 52.2%, much lower than the usual 72% for this time of year. River levels and groundwater supplies are also lower than usual.
In June, the warm weather caused a big increase in how much water our customers used. An average of 365 million litres of water were used per day, the same as filling 146 Olympic-sized swimming pools. This is 15% more than usual. Whilst this increased usage can be common across the summer, the unusually prolonged period of dry weather means that ground water, rivers and our reservoirs have not been replenished.
What happens next?
Temporary usage bans (TUBs), more commonly known as hosepipe bans, have already been put into place across several parts of the UK to help preserve precious water resources and protect the environment.
Whilst we are doing everything we can to avoid a hosepipe ban in our region, it is possible that we may need to take this course of action if our water levels do not improve.
What can I do to help?
We are urging customers to think about their water use and look at ways they can cut back on non-essential activities. Remember, small changes make a big difference.
Here are just a few examples of easy water-saving steps that you can take:
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Hang up your hosepipe - switch your hosepipe for a watering can as hosepipes use up to 1,000 litres an hour - the same as a family of four uses in two days.
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Wait to wash your car - wait until the hot weather is over before washing your car. If your car needs a wash, use a bucket instead of a hose, as this would save over 100 litres of water.
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Leave your lawns - leave established lawns even if they go brown - they will recover when it next rains.
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Reduce your shower time - if you like a long shower, see if you can reduce your shower time - just two minutes can save 30 litres of water
Water-saving tips
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