The Environment Agency has warned that England is experiencing its driest spring start in 69 years, with reservoir levels plummeting and fears of a summer drought intensifying. Latest data shows national reservoir capacity at just 84%, a sharp drop from 90% during the 2022 drought year, with the Thames Valley recording only 13% of average rainfall, the lowest since 1944. Meanwhile, other parts of Europe, particularly Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe, are grappling with similar drought threats, exacerbated by climate change.
1976 UK Drought Crisis and Public Response
The 1976 drought remains one of the UK’s worst climate crises of the 20th century, affecting England, Wales, and parts of Scotland. Low rainfall in autumn 1975 depleted reservoir stocks, and scorching temperatures from May to August 1976 (often exceeding 30°C) left reservoirs and rivers nearly dry, with southeast England receiving just 20% of normal rainfall.
- Public Concern: Initially, the public underestimated the drought’s severity, but as reservoirs dried up and water cuts were enforced, panic spread. Residents queued for water from tankers, with some Welsh towns facing 17-hour daily water shutoffs, severely disrupting daily life. Soaring food prices, driven by crop failures, added to cost-of-living pressures, while heatwaves increased heatstroke cases, particularly among the elderly. Historical posts on X recall residents painting “Pray for Rain” on billboards, reflecting widespread despair and frustration. Public anger grew towards water companies and the government’s perceived inaction.
- Government Concern: The government was slow to respond but acted decisively as the crisis escalated. In August 1976, Parliament passed the Drought Act 1976, underscoring acute concern. The appointment of a “Drought Minister,” Denis Howell, and the launch of a “Save Water” campaign, promoting measures like sharing bathwater, highlighted the government’s alarm. However, criticism mounted over decades of underinvestment in water infrastructure.
1976 Drought Act
The Drought Act 1976 was emergency legislation with key provisions:
- Water Restrictions: Banned non-essential water use, such as car washing, garden watering, and filling swimming pools, with fines for violations.
- Water Reallocation: Permitted water extraction from rivers, lakes, or groundwater to supply shortage areas.
- Emergency Infrastructure: Authorised rapid construction of temporary pipelines or pumps without full environmental assessments.
- Enforcement Powers: Granted local authorities and water companies greater authority to enforce measures.
The Act enabled hosepipe bans, water reallocation, and public awareness campaigns. Heavy rainfall in September 1976 ultimately eased the crisis, but it exposed chronic issues like insufficient reservoir capacity and leaky pipes.
2022 UK Drought
The 2022 drought, dubbed the “driest February since 1993,” saw England declared in drought status, with the Thames’ source drying up and crop yields plummeting.
- Public Concern: Urban water supplies held, muting public alarm compared to 1976, but rural farmers faced acute anxiety over irrigation shortages. X posts highlighted public frustration with water companies’ leaks and prioritising dividends over investment.
- Government Concern: The government swiftly declared a drought, activating hosepipe bans and groundwater reallocation under existing frameworks like the Drought Act. Criticism persisted over the lack of new reservoirs and inadequate climate adaptation. Rainfall in late 2022 alleviated the crisis.
2025 Droughts Across Europe
According to the European Drought Observatory (EDO) April 2025 report, multiple European countries face drought risks, particularly in Central, Eastern, and Mediterranean regions, driven by low rainfall and high temperatures:
- Germany: March 2025 was the driest on record, with the Rhine River at 1.54 metres on 12 April, half its normal level, disrupting shipping. Northern soils are “severely dry,” threatening crop yields and global food security.
- Poland and Ukraine: As Europe’s “breadbasket,” both face widespread drought warnings. Dry winters left soils depleted, endangering agriculture.
- Iberian Peninsula: Eastern Spain is on “red alert,” with crop losses up to 80%. Portugal reports 90% of its territory affected, with some areas relying on water tankers for drinking water.
- Mediterranean Region: Greece, Cyprus, Malta, and western Turkey face ongoing droughts, with damaged vegetation and heightened wildfire risks.
- Central Europe and Baltics: Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Belarus are under warnings, with low river flows impacting agriculture and energy production.
European Public and Government Concern
- Public Concern: Early drought stages see limited public attention, especially in cities, but farmers are increasingly alarmed by crop losses and water shortages. X posts from farmers and environmentalists criticise slow government action. In the Mediterranean, public discontent grows over water tankers and restrictions, with fears of summer wildfires and food price spikes.
- Government Concern: European governments recognise the long-term drought threat, but responses vary. Germany’s meteorological service and the EU’s Joint Research Centre have issued warnings, urging preparation. The EU plans a Water Resilience Strategy for June 2025, but farmers’ groups decry insufficient funding. Spain has requested EU emergency aid, while Portugal and France impose local water restrictions. Poland and Ukraine struggle to respond fully due to war and economic constraints.
2025 UK Challenges and Outlook
The UK’s National Drought Group met this week to discuss 2025 measures, including potential hosepipe bans and water restrictions. The Environment Agency notes low river flows and farmers’ early irrigation straining resources. Experts highlight parallels with 1976, citing climate-driven rainfall shifts and no new reservoirs in 30 years. Water companies face pressure to fix leaks wasting 2.4 billion litres annually. National Farmers’ Union Vice-President Rachel Hallos said: “Eastern agriculture is already impacted, with farmers relying on reservoir stocks.” Without significant rain in coming weeks, England risks severe water shortages.
The Environment Agency urges the public to save water, such as by shortening showers, and demands accountability from water companies. Experts warn that lessons from 1976 and 2022 show emergency measures only offer temporary relief. The EDO forecasts persistent dryness in the UK, Ireland, and Northern Europe from April to June 2025, with slight Mediterranean relief. Long-term investment in reservoirs, desalination plants, and leak repairs is critical to prevent droughts becoming the norm.
