Kent has officially been placed into drought status by the Environment Agency following months of record-breaking dry weather and depleted river levels across the South East.
The official declaration triggers heightened operational measures to safeguard diminishing public water supplies, protect local wildlife habitats, and manage rising agricultural pressures.
It follows the driest July in England for nearly two centuries, which left local reservoirs and aquifers severely depleted while high summer temperatures drove consumer demand to historic peaks.
Kent has now officially been placed into drought status by the Environment Agency following months of record-breaking dry weather and depleted river levels across the South East.
South East Water customers in the region already face active hosepipe bans under Temporary Use Bans, but the official change in drought status paves the way for further non-essential water use restrictions if dry conditions persist. Environment officials and local authorities have urged all residents, businesses, and agricultural operators across Kent to minimise non-essential water consumption immediately to prevent critical shortages as the hot weather continues.