Save water this summer
Following the Environment Agency's (EA) decision to declare half of England in drought, we're asking everyone to help use water wisely.
With less rainfall replenishing rivers, reservoirs and groundwater sources, and demand rising during hotter weather, water resources are coming under increasing pressure across the region.
The drought declaration reflects the exceptionally warm and dry conditions affecting much of the country. According to the Met Office, the UK has already experienced three heatwaves this year, with the period from March to July among the driest on record.
While these conditions are placing growing pressure on water resources and the environment, our water storage levels remain good across the region thanks to careful planning, investment and drought preparedness ahead of the summer season.
We're closely monitoring the situation, managing supplies carefully and continuing to invest in our network and water resources to help maintain resilient water supplies for our customers and communities. We are also fixing more leaks than ever before and are currently exceeding our planned targets for leak repairs, helping to reduce water loss across our network and make the best use of available water resources.
Reduced rainfall means that river levels in some areas are lower than would normally be expected for this time of year. To help protect the environment during periods of dry weather, SES Water releases water from reservoirs to support river flows, while continuing to supply drinking water to homes, businesses and communities across the region. When river levels are lower earlier, the reservoir storage is used for a longer period of time for supply and to support river flows. Higher demand for example in heatwaves increases the amount of reservoir storage used each day.
We're also continuing to invest to strengthen resilience for future dry weather. At SES Water we are significantly investing across 2025 and 2030 to improve water services, strengthen resilience and enhance environmental performance across the region. This includes upgrading water treatment works, reducing leakage, expanding smart metering and improving connections across our water network.
Alongside investment in infrastructure, we're working in in our drinking water catchments to help protect and improve the natural environment through projects including peatland restoration, reed bed creation and our award-winning Upstream Thinking programme.
Simple actions at home and in the garden, such as taking shorter showers, turning off the tap while brushing your teeth and being mindful when watering plants, can make a real difference. By using water wisely, we can all help protect local rivers, wildlife and water supplies for everyone.
Every Drop Counts. Small actions. A big difference.
Balancing water supplies throughout the year
This summer we have seen spells of hot dry weather which has driven higher than normal demand across the region.
We’re monitoring our reservoir and groundwater levels closely and our teams are working to maintain supplies and keep water moving around the network.