Over the last few weeks, the reduction in reservoir levels has triggered serious concerns and plans have been put in place to conserve water supplies.
This update gives an overview of the measures the EA (Environment Agency) and NRW (Natural Resources Wales) have put into place and explains the forthcoming communication you are likely to receive if you abstract water for irrigation purposes from the main River Severn and also its tributaries.
This information has been prepared by the Environment Agency
Request for voluntary reductions in the River Severn catchment
The EA is sending letters to abstractors in the Severn catchment requesting that action be taken to conserve water supplies where possible. The letter is being sent to licence holders abstracting from surface water in both the main river and its tributaries. Letters were sent via first class post on 20 August 2026 and will provide further information on the reductions being requested, as well as further information about Section 57 restrictions.
We are requesting all abstractors using surface water sources within the River Severn catchment, that may be abstracting up to 1 November 2026, to voluntarily reduce any abstraction. We recommend an effective 50% reduction in abstraction by either:
- Abstracting up to the daily licensed abstraction quantity but only on alternate days or;
- Abstracting up to 50% of the daily quantity each day. Voluntary reduction will help conserve water to extend the total period when water is available for abstraction, as well as protect the environment. This letter is to request reductions in abstraction in 2026 only
Section 57 restrictions in the Severn catchment
Further to the request for voluntary reductions, we are considering the need to impose more formal restrictions under Section 57 of the Water Resources Act 1991. We will work with abstractors to ensure all measures are considered prior to the implementation of a Section 57 restriction.
Section 57 only applies to spray irrigation, and to licence holders that do not have hands-off flow (HOF) conditions set in their licences. There are also several exclusions to Section 57 restrictions, including:
- Irrigation using water from winter-filled ponds or reservoirs which do not take water from rivers, streams or springs in the summer
- Water used to supply pot grown plants which are unable to take moisture from the soil
- Irrigation of covered crops (in glasshouses or polytunnels)
- Abstractions from groundwaters such as boreholes or wells if there is no direct impact on surface water
River Severn Drought Order
A statutory notification letter was issued on 17 August. This provides notice of application for a drought order and can be viewed on the GOV.UK website
The order relates to water company and Canal & River Trust abstractions from the River Severn, helping to support water resource resilience during the drought.
River Severn regulation - background information
The Upper River Severn is augmented from water stored within Llyn Clywedog and Lake Vyrnwy reservoirs in Powys, and from boreholes that form the Shropshire Groundwater Scheme (SGS) in Shropshire. These help maintain the required flow at Bewdley gauging station situated approximately halfway down the catchment.
The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales manage the daily releases according to the Clywedog Reservoir Joint Authority Act (1963), in cooperation with water companies under a Section 20 agreement, and the Canal & River Trust through Operating Agreements. This is known as River Severn regulation and is designed to provide a major source of water for public consumption, industry, electricity generation, navigation and agriculture, whilst maintaining an acceptable flow for the purposes of fisheries, conservation, recreation, effluent dilution and other in-river uses.
The River Severn Drought Order
The River Severn Drought Order aims to reduce the risk of running out of regulation water. By maintaining lower flows along the River Severn, the remaining water can be used for longer. If the regulation system were to run out of water, river levels and flows along the River Severn would drop suddenly and some sections may dry up. Water supplies would be threatened, and significant environmental damage would be expected. The River Severn Drought Order is the Environment Agency's final drought management option; other measures would be in force, including abstraction restrictions and public appeals.
The River Severn Drought Order aims to ration out water by:
- reducing the 5-day target for prescribed flow at Bewdley from 850 Megalitres per day to 730 Megalitres per day
- capping the maximum release from Llyn Clywedog at 300 Ml/d instead of 500 Ml/d
- imposing a 5 percent reduction on water company licensed abstractions from the River Severn; and
- imposing extra restrictions on the Canal & River Trust abstraction for the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal in England
The River Severn Drought Order is triggered by the volume of water in Llyn Clywedog reservoir, and not by the volume of water flowing in the river. Llyn Clywedog reservoir was constructed primarily to provide water for the Severn regulation system. Llyn Clywedog represents the largest supply of water currently available to support the River Severn and is critical to manage the water efficiently. Storage levels in the reservoir are monitored against control curves to track the available water resources and raise awareness of developing dry conditions.
The timescale for the order to come into effect depends on Defra’s review. The aim is for a decision within 28 days, although this could take longer if a hearing is needed. Abstractors would be given at least 24 hours before any restrictions are applied.
FAQs
Would the drought order introduce any additional restrictions for agricultural abstractors who abstract directly from the main River Severn?
The River Severn Drought Order does not introduce additional restrictions for agricultural abstractors who abstract either directly from the main River Severn, or from its tributaries. Abstraction reductions are applied to water companies and the Canal & River Trust only.
If restrictions are applied to the main River Severn, what implications, if any, would this have for abstractors operating on tributaries, where the majority of licences are held?
As above, the River Severn Drought Order does not introduce additional restrictions for agricultural abstractors who abstract either directly from the main River Severn, or from its tributaries.
A request for voluntary reductions has been made to surface water abstraction licence holders in the River Severn catchment (main river and tributaries).
What impacts could the River Severn Drought Order have on abstractions from the main river with HOF conditions on their licence?
There are 16 abstraction licences with a HOF condition of 772 Ml/d at Bewdley, and one licence with a HOF condition of 964 Ml/d at Deerhurst. All abstractions are from the main river and will be affected by the reduced river flows if the River Severn Drought Order is granted.
Is the proposed River Severn Drought Order likely to have any impact on winter reservoir filling activities?
Abstractors must consider their plans for cropping and water requirements over winter 2026 into spring/ summer 2027. Abstractors should plan for a dry winter and consider what options are available to them should storage reservoirs not be refilled. An abstraction licence does not guarantee a supply of water.
The ability for licence holders to fill winter storage reservoirs will also be dependent on their abstraction licence HOF condition. The Agency may consider requests for flexibility in filling reservoirs to ensure supplies are full and ready for summer 2027, but this would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Winter abstraction licences – those commencing from 1 November 2026 – with HOF conditions may be restricted from the commencement of their abstraction period. If this is the case, notices will be sent one week before the abstraction period start date to inform abstractors that restrictions will be in place.
There are reservoirs and the north Shropshire aquifer to keep the River Severn flowing but how long can they last if this dry weather continues?
Thanks to careful management, the Groundwater Scheme has enough water on its licence to keep pumping at full capacity right through until December. Llyn Clywedog remains over 50 percent full, and Lake Vyrnwy provides further support, working alongside United Utilities to balance supply across the region.
This has been the driest July in 190 years, this is a whole-system effort, and everyone, from water companies, farmers, to households, has a part to play in using water wisely.
At the Environment Agency we have responded swiftly, stepping up monitoring and working together with Natural Resources Wales to manage the river's flow.
Together, we're taking decisive action, from enhanced monitoring to water-saving measures like spray irrigation restrictions and asking water companies to cut demand.
We're monitoring the situation daily and taking the action needed now, so we don't reach a point where supplies are at risk.
We won't pretend a continuation of this hot, dry weather isn't a concern. That's exactly why, alongside Natural Resources Wales, we're actively managing all three of the Severn's water sources together, and planning now for a reasonable worst-case scenario of this weather continuing
Potato farmers and possibly others are concerned about EA starting to ration or limit water supplies. How likely is that?
River flows across the Midlands are low. Our teams are proactively out inspecting sites to make sure abstraction is compliant.
If conditions don't improve, we do have the power to restrict abstraction for spray irrigation during periods of exceptional drought, to protect rivers and wildlife. We'd only use this if the evidence shows it's needed.
Do you have any other concerns at the EA on water supply?
We're monitoring all our catchments closely, especially the Severn, which supplies drinking water to millions of people and supports vital wildlife habitats. This has been the driest July in 190 years, and the dry, hot weather continues to add pressure.
We're stepping up monitoring, working with partners on water-saving measures like irrigation restrictions, and asking water companies to be proactive in reducing demand. It's a fast-moving situation and we're responding to it every day.
NFU work
The NFU continues to work with WRW, the EA, water abstraction groups and water companies throughout the drought period.
For more information about abstraction licences and other helpful links: