The amount of water held in England’s reservoirs stood at just 65% of total capacity at the end of last month – the lowest level for that point in the calendar year since 1995.
Most reservoirs are now classed as being “exceptionally low”, according to figures from the Environment Agency.
England’s total stock of reservoir water has fallen steadily in recent months, from 90% of capacity at the end of April to 85% by the end of May, 78% at the end of June and 65% by the end of last month.
Ardingly reservoir in West Sussex and Hanningfield reservoir in Essex both saw their water level drop by more than a fifth last month – the largest fall recorded by any reservoir or reservoir group.
River levels in July were classed as “exceptionally low” at more than a quarter of sites across England, the Environment Agency added.
An official drought was declared in eight areas of England on 12th August by the National Drought Group (NDG), which comprises representatives from the Government, water companies, the Environment Agency (EA) and others.
Three water companies – Welsh Water, Southern Water, and South East Water – have all imposed hosepipe bans.
This comes after temperatures reached 34.2C at Wiggonholt, West Sussex, on 11th August , and climbed above 33C in a number of places from Shropshire to the south-east of England.
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