Yorkshire Water is not planning to introduce water restrictions for customers despite Yorkshire being moved into drought status by the Environment Agency
Yorkshire Water is not currently planning on introducing a ‘hosepipe ban’ as it did in 2025 (file photo)(Image: Andrei310 via Getty Images)
Yorkshire Water says it currently has no plans to impose water restrictions on customers, despite Yorkshire being moved to drought status by the Environment Agency. The utility company says significant efforts to manage supplies, cut leakage and redistribute water across the region’s network means action of that nature is not necessary at the moment though it “will continue to monitor conditions closely”.
Drought status is a reflection of the prolonged dry spell that has gripped Yorkshire this year, and does not automatically trigger the need for water restrictions. Current reservoir levels stand at 42.7 per cent, lower than at the same point in 2025 (52.9 per cent), partly due to the wetter weather experienced in September last year, which produced the largest ever single-week increase in water resources.
Groundwater in the Hull aquifer remains at 40 per cent — unchanged from early October 2025.
Amid a lengthy dry spell, Yorkshire had a ‘hosepipe ban’ imposed on residential customers in July 2025 which was lifted the following December. This year, a number of regions have had usage restrictions imposed since the summer, including the Anglian Water area which includes most of neighbouring northern Lincolnshire.
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 September. 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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