Anglian Water
Water levels at Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire are lower than usual due to the driest spring and summer on record
Anglian Water has said further measures to conserve water may be required in 2026 if drier conditions return over winter.
The company said it was working hard to protect water resources following last year’s driest spring and summer in the East of England since records began in 1899.
There was a lower than average rainfall from February to August.
As a result, reservoir and groundwater levels were lower than expected in mid-December, despite heavy rainfall in November.
But the firm said its current supplies were secure, with its teams working “around the clock” to ensure all winter rainfall was used to help “recharge” them.
The company said November helped with rainfall across the region at 175% of usual average levels and there had been a “good amount” of rain in December.
Anglian Water
The banks of Grafham Water dried out as the water levels dipped
Larger reservoirs and groundwater sources take longer to recover after a prolonged dry spell.
The “exceptional” dry conditions meant the ground has only just become wet enough following the November rainfall for groundwater sources to increase.
These sources were at low levels due to the record hot and dry conditions experienced in spring and summer.
Water tips
If dry conditions return in the latter half of spring and summer, Anglian Water may have less water available for the warmer months.
Anglian Water continued it would be “putting extra boots on the ground” to tackle leaks, rolling out more smart water meters and working on its pipeline to transport water from wetter parts of the region to where it was most needed.
A spokesperson added it would undertake more actions if drier conditions continued over winter.
They also urged customers to help save water by “using a ‘little less’ wherever they can”.
The company has published several tips on how to conserve it.