Strengthening Drought Resilience in 2025 and Beyond: The Role of Permits, Desalination and Water Recycling

After one of the wettest years in a decade, 2025 has taken a sharp and early turn. With the driest spring in 69 years, river flows and reservoir levels across central and northern England are now below seasonal averages and continuing to fall. While groundwater storage remains generally healthy for now, the prospect of prolonged dry conditions – coupled with rising demand – is fuelling concerns about the return of drought conditions as we head into summer.

At the National Drought Group meeting on 7 May, convened by the Environment Agency, water companies were urged to take early action – not just to address immediate pressures, such as leakage and demand, but to progress longer-term solutions that enhance resilience. These measures include expanding water recycling schemes, exploring desalination options, and ensuring drought permits are supported by robust environmental assessments and monitoring strategies.

Understanding the Challenges in 2025

While drought is not new to the UK, the context in 2025 presents a unique set of challenges:

• This year’s dry conditions are emerging earlier and more rapidly than those seen in 2022
• River and reservoir levels are falling sooner and faster than during previous droughts
• The commencement of AMP8 has placed unprecedented emphasis on environmental improvement and delivery – increasing demand for specialist skills, resources and regulatory alignment
• There is growing urgency to balance immediate drought response with strategic, climate-resilient infrastructure planning

These overlapping pressures mean that preparation is not just beneficial – it’s essential. The water industry is embarking on one of its most ambitious environmental programmes to date, while also responding to short-term climatic risks that require flexible, fast-moving responses.

If water companies are required to enact their Drought Plans and apply for drought permits, it’s essential that all environmental monitoring, assessment and mitigation measures are prepared and ready for implementation. Experience from recent droughts – including the summer of 2022 – highlights the importance of early preparation. Where environmental requirements were in place ahead of time, companies were better able to manage impacts, streamline permit processes and minimise disruption to ecosystems.

Every drought, however, brings unique challenges. The conditions emerging in 2025 may develop more rapidly than in previous years. This spring has been notably drier than 2022, and many rivers and reservoirs are already showing earlier and steeper declines in levels.

At the same time, the sector is entering a period of unprecedented environmental investment through AMP8, with significant pressure on specialist expertise and delivery capacity. Against this backdrop, early engagement and collaborative planning will be key to delivering effective, sustainable drought responses – while continuing to meet regulatory and environmental expectations.