The Environment Agency says water levels at groundwater sites are "now starting to become below normal or notably low".

17:39, Wed, Jul 22, 2026 Updated: 17:40, Wed, Jul 22, 2026

Hand watering garden plants with hose spray nozzle in sunny backyard

Warnings have been issued to residents after weeks of hot, dry weather. (Image: Getty)

Households in a UK region have been asked to take measures, including having shorter showers, after it was officially categorised as being in prolonged dry weather. The Environment Agency (EA) confirmed on Tuesday, July 21, that the West Country (a loosely defined rural region containing a number of counties, including Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset) now had the status.

The agency said the status was updated due to the environmental impact created by a lack of rainfall and high temperatures. It applies to Bristol, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. "Neighbouring parts of Gloucestershire and Hampshire, which also fall within the Environment Agency’s Wessex operational area, are also in prolonged dry weather," it added. The EA said officers are "expecting more environmental incidents this summer" as a result of "low river flows, high water temperatures and fish struggling for oxygen as weeds and algal blooms thrive in these conditions".

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A view of the harbour at Polperro in Looe, Cornwall, UK

Cornwall is one of Britain's most beloved staycation destinations. (Image: Getty)

Drought conditions have not yet been declared, but the agency says water levels at groundwater sites are "now starting to become below normal or notably low while the forecast remains largely dry with a chance of showers later this month".

Prolonged dry weather is the step that precedes the declaration of droughts. There isn't an official for drought, which is assessed and, if necessary, declared by the National Drought Group, which is chaired by the EA and includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, the National Farmers’ Union, Canal & River Trust, anglers, and conservation experts.

Matt Akers, environment planning & engagement manager at the Environment Agency, said: "There’s been a big difference in the environment in the past month. June had 132% of its typical rainfall. This month we’ve had less than 1% so far.

"We are seeing low river flows in places like the Hampshire Avon and water temperatures of 24C, which is almost tropical.

"The Environment Agency is keeping a close eye on the situation and remains ready to respond to incidents created by these conditions."

It joins several other areas of England which are now in prolonged dry weather, including Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, part of the EA's Southern and South Downs Area.

A number of hosepipe bans, also known as Temporary Use Bans (TUBs), have also been issued across the country, asking tens of millions of Britons to change their behaviour due to pressure on water resources.

Parts of the West Country are already under TUBs.

Where the West Country is concerned, the EA says it has been actively responding to incidents of fish in distress, "most recently helping move hundreds of fish in the River Tarrant in Dorset to a safer location".

"Weed cutting and vegetation removal is also planned. Despite a wet start to 2026, March to May has seen the West Country get below-average amounts of rainfall," it added. "Above-average rain in June did not make up for that loss as 82% of it fell within the first ten days and not uniformly across the area.

The situation is being monitored by the National Drought Group.

The EA says everyone has a part to play in ensuring that water isn't needlessly wasted, and drew attention to a campaign it's a partner of called Let’s Save Water.

The agency flags "simple ways" to reduce water use, "including shortening your shower, fixing home leaks, swapping the hosepipe for a bucket or watering can, using a washing up bowl and the eco mode on your appliances".