What does the driest summer on record mean for our rivers?

LinkedIn Post - September 5, 2025

The summer of 2025 is officially the driest on record despite occasional cloudy skies and rain showers here in the north. Across the region, many streams and becks have dried up, rivers have been reduced to a lifeless trickle, and reservoirs are at historic lows - currently just 39.1% capacity compared to the usual 74.2%. These unprecedented conditions highlight the growing challenges of drought, water scarcity, and climate change in the UK.

And, with just 0.02% of the freshwater on the planet flowing in our rivers, the current drought underlines what a precious resource this water really is − which is why we must all take responsibility for protecting it for ourselves, our wildlife, our food sources and our businesses.

The very wet 2024 replenished groundwater and reservoir reserves considerably helping to keep the taps flowing this summer, along with the recent drought permits − but this safety net won’t always be there. A dry winter followed by another dry summer could literally cause taps to run dry with huge impacts for public health, the economy and the environment.

When rivers and streams hold less water, the impacts include:

• Pollutant concentrations increase, affecting water quality.
• Fish migration routes shrink, reducing biodiversity.
• Oxygen levels drop, posing risks to sensitive aquatic species.
• Wildlife habitats decline, threatening long-term ecosystem health.

A theme running through many of our river restoration projects is natural flood management (NFM). By working with farmers and landowners to promote natural processes and features within the landscape, such as well aerated land, riparian hedge and tree planting and wetland creation, NFM can deliver many benefits – from improving biodiversity and habitats to storing more water in the land to help mitigate flooding events – which also supports slower release in times of water scarcity. Find out about supported NFM opportunities here.

There are also many things we can all do at home to use less water or use it more wisely:

• Create your own SUDS! - Water butts, gravels instead of hard standing, wet gardens and ponds are all types of SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage System) that save water and keep it in your garden.
• Turn off the tap while brushing or washing - Switch off the tap whilst brushing your teeth or washing your hands and you’ll save litres of water every time.
• Wash veggies the water-wise way - Instead of rinsing fruit and veg under a running tap, fill a bowl and give them a soak - you can reuse that water on your houseplants!
• Wait for a full load before pressing start - Whether it’s the dishwasher or washing machine, running it with a full load helps you get the most out of every drop and cuts down on water and energy use.
• Report water leaks to Yorkshire Water - at: Yorkshire Water - Report a problem

Find more Water Saving Tips on our website