By Dr Rob Bradburne, Environment Agency Chief Scientist
How does climate change affect drought?
This summer has been a reminder that climate change is no longer something we talk about in terms of future generations.
For many people, this summer meant coping with prolonged heat, dry gardens, lower river levels, pressure on local water supplies and the challenge of keeping homes, schools and workplaces comfortable during extreme weather. For others, it has meant concern about the future of local wildlife, favourite rivers and green spaces. At the same time, nature has been feeling the strain too, as habitats face increasing pressure from hotter, drier conditions.
New research has shown we need 120% of typical rainfall over the next seven months for all areas to be considered out of drought.
These experiences help us to understand what a changed climate might mean for us in England. They provide a glimpse of what life could feel like in the future as extreme weather becomes more frequent and more intense.
I regularly hear from communities, volunteers and citizen scientists who are worried about the health of their local rivers, declining biodiversity and the condition of the natural places they care about most. I share their concerns. Protecting people and the environment from these growing pressures is one of the reasons science sits at the heart of everything the Environment Agency does.
What do weather extremes really mean?
The Met Office recently declared summer 2026 the hottest on record for the UK. But looking further ahead, the climate models predict that temperatures that feel exceptional today will become increasingly common in the decades to come.
The Met Office helps us understand how weather patterns may change as our climate continues to warm. Our role is to understand what those changes mean for people, water resources and the environment.
What does a hotter summer mean for rivers and wetlands? What happens to water supplies when rainfall becomes less reliable? Which communities, habitats and species may become more vulnerable? These are the questions our scientists work to answer every day.
The UK's ecosystems developed in a climate where rainfall was generally plentiful and relatively predictable. When that rainfall is no longer so predictable, or when it does come, it can cause flooding or runoff not easily retained in the environment, there can be less water to sustain rivers, wetlands and wider water-dependent just when they need it. At the same time, society’s demand for water continues to grow. So, as our own need for water is increasing during hot dry periods, so too is the environment's, with more water needed to maintain healthy rivers, wetlands and habitats and support the wildlife that depends upon them.
Haweswater North WestHow does science help the Environment Agency take action?
Science underpins how we regulate, manage water resources and prepare for climate change. It helps us understand what is happening now, identify emerging risks and plan for future challenges. Most importantly, it helps us turn evidence into action.
Our scientists and hydrologists continuously keep an eye on rainfall, river flows, groundwater levels and reservoir storage across England. This evidence helps us understand drought conditions as they develop and assess the risks to people, water supplies and the environment.
We use that evidence alongside partners through the National Drought Group and regional drought groups to respond to changing conditions in real time. Working with water companies, government, farmers and environmental organisations, we can agree practical actions such as increasing monitoring of vulnerable rivers and habitats, promoting water efficiency and managing water resources more carefully during dry periods.
The evidence also informs decisions about drought status and helps identify places where wildlife and habitats are under pressure. Science is not something that happens alongside decision-making; it absolutely underpins how we regulate, the advice we provide and the actions we take.
How does science help the Environment Agency improve understanding?
We are also improving our understanding of how climate extremes affect both people and the environment. Some of our work focuses on understanding which habitats are most vulnerable to drought, which rivers (e.g., our internationally rare chalk streams) face the greatest pressures and how environmental recovery can take years after prolonged dry conditions. Other research examines how changing water temperatures and water quality could affect ecosystems and wildlife in the future.
We’re not only responding to today's conditions. We work with partners to develop and use future climate projections, helping us understand what changing weather patterns could mean for water availability, environmental resilience and the way we manage natural resources in future decades. Continuing to invest in science and evidence will be critical if we are to keep pace with, and stay ahead of, the rate of environmental change. Our science is shared widely with government, water companies, researchers, environmental partners and the public, helping inform decisions across sectors.
Why does household water use matter?
One fact that might surprise you is that public water supply accounts for around 51% of freshwater abstraction in England. By comparison, agriculture accounts for around 1%.
In other words, much of the water abstracted from the environment supports the water we use every day in our homes, schools, workplaces and public services. That is why the actions we take as individuals matter - especially during prolonged dry weather, when pressure on rivers, groundwater, wildlife and habitats can increase quickly.
How can you save water during dry weather?
We know people's actions make a difference. Water companies can see the impact in their demand data and research discussed through the National Drought Group suggests restrictions such as hosepipe bans can reduce demand by up to 4.5%. Some water companies have also reported demand reductions of around 9% following water-saving campaigns and restrictions.
Millions of small actions, taken across millions of households, quickly add up. Taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, using water carefully in the garden and talking to others about why it matters are not token gestures. They reduce the amount of water we need to take from rivers and groundwater, helping protect supplies for people in the future and leaving more water available for wildlife, wetlands and the natural systems that sustain life around us today.
Find out more on how to save water here.
How does the Environment Agency plan for the future?
Climate change is already affecting how people experience the environment around them.
Through science, monitoring, forecasting and long-term planning, we are improving our understanding of what these changes mean and how we can respond. As we move into autumn, we are relying on our scenario planning to help predict when we will recover from drought. This work is essential to helping us manage today's pressures while preparing for tomorrow's challenges.
But resilience is not built by one organisation alone. The choices we make about water, both during droughts and between them, play an important role in protecting future water supplies and the rivers, wetlands and wildlife that make England's environment so special.
By combining science, evidence and collective action, we can do a lot to stay ahead of a changing climate and help ensure that both people and nature are better prepared for the future.
Find out more about the Environment Agency's research and evidence here - Environment Agency Chief Scientist's Group core research - GOV.UK
seen at 16:42, 8 October in Environment Agency: For homes and habitats..