Water stocks in the region are still ‘well below where they should be’ but the situation is improving
Yorkshire Water says the hosepipe ban will continue to remain in place for households in the region but reservoir levels are now recovering. Stocks reached the lowest levels “they have ever been” for the time of year in the summer and restrictions on water use were put in place on July 11.
It followed months without any significant rainfall and a drought was eventually declared in June. The Environment Agency has since issued 20 drought permits to Yorkshire Water to secure public drinking water supplies, with a further 17 issued earlier this week.
However, the weather has changed markedly over the past few weeks and Storm Amy “resulted in a further boost the region’s reservoir levels”. They have now increased for four weeks in a row.
Reservoir stocks have now increased to 52.9 per cent, up from 46.9 per cent the previous week. It is the first time they have been over 50 per cent since early July.
Despite the welcome downpours, Yorkshire Water says stocks are still “well below where they should be at this time of year” and restrictions will only be lifted “as soon as reservoirs have sufficiently recovered”. Dave Kaye, director of water services, said: “Over the last four weeks, we’ve had some periods of very heavy rainfall and a named storm, and thankfully, these have provided some much-needed relief for our reservoirs, as well as groundwater sources and the region’s rivers.
“The drought permits we have in place around the region are also keeping more water in the reservoirs and allowing increased abstraction, both of which will help reservoirs stocks to recharge in the coming weeks and months. That being said, stocks are still well below where they should be at this time of year, and we’re expecting another period of dry weather over the next week to ten days.
“There is still a long way to go in terms of recovering from the driest spring and warmest summer on record. We’re hopeful that the recovery will continue through autumn and winter so that we are in a strong position as we approach spring and summer 2026.
“To allow our reservoirs to recover as much as possible, we’re continuing our efforts to tackle more than 800 leaks per week so that we can keep more water in the network. Once again we’d like to thank customers for their efforts to adhere to the restrictions, and for taking further steps to conserve water resources where they can.”
After the most recent drought permits were issued this week, Claire Barrow, Environment Agency Yorkshire Drought Manager, said: “Although we expect to see more wet weather over the autumn and winter it will take significant rain over several months to refill rivers and reservoirs, without which water supplies will continue to decline.
“These additional permits will allow Yorkshire Water to retain their reservoir stocks for longer, so protecting that level of public supply. We only issue a permit if we are content that there are clear plans in place to mitigate any impact on the environment, along with strong evidence from Yorkshire Water of their ongoing commitment to reduce leaks and improve water efficiency.
“Over the autumn and winter, we will continue to work closely with Yorkshire Water as it develops the long-term solutions necessary to protect water resources while drought conditions continue across Yorkshire.”