Water supplies will remain uninterrupted without customer restrictions despite Yorkshire officially moving into drought status following prolonged dry weather.
Water restrictions will be avoided for customers despite Yorkshire officially moving into drought status.
The Environment Agency upgraded the region's classification following prolonged dry conditions over recent months. However, the change in status does not automatically mean limits on household water usage are required.
Extensive work to manage supplies, reduce leakage, and move water around the regional network means bans or limitations will not be introduced.
Current reservoir stocks sit at 42.7 per cent, which is notably below the 52.9 per cent recorded at the same point in 2025. This drop is partly due to wetter weather in September 2025, which previously led to the largest ever increase in water resources in a single week.
Meanwhile, groundwater levels in the Hull aquifer currently stand at 40 per cent, mirroring the levels seen in early October 2025.
Andy Shaw, head of water production, treatment and energy at Yorkshire Water, said:
"Yorkshire has experienced an exceptionally hot and dry summer, and conditions have remained dry into September, with the region receiving just over half the normal long term average rainfall in Sept. This has placed continued pressure on reservoirs, groundwater sources and rivers across the region.
The Environment Agency's decision to move Yorkshire into drought reflects these conditions, but it does not mean water restrictions are currently needed.
Through careful management of our water resources, extensive work to reduce leakage and the operation of our regional water network, we are not planning to introduce water restrictions for customers at this time.
Winter rainfall will be important in helping reservoir and groundwater levels recover, and we will continue to monitor conditions closely.
Water demand remains unusually high for this time of year, so we are asking customers to continue using water wisely wherever possible. Small actions such as shorter showers, running full washing machine loads and checking for leaks at home can make a real difference.
At the same time, our teams continue to work around the clock to reduce leakage, maximise water supplies and ensure homes and businesses across Yorkshire continue to receive the water they need."
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