July 23, 2026 - 194 views
Large areas of North Wales have officially been placed into drought status following weeks of hot, dry weather and below-average rainfall.
The Welsh Government has confirmed that Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has moved the Gwynedd, Ynys Môn, Clwyd, Dee and Upper Severn catchments into drought status after a further assessment of environmental conditions on July 23.
The move comes just a week after several catchments in North Wales were placed into prolonged dry weather status as rivers, wildlife and habitats came under increasing pressure.
According to NRW, the decision reflects a continued lack of significant rainfall combined with sustained high temperatures, which have led to lower river levels and growing environmental concerns across parts of Wales.
The announcement means much of North Wales is now experiencing its most serious dry weather classification, with authorities closely monitoring conditions and coordinating their response through established drought management plans.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, Llyr Gruffydd MS, said the Welsh Government continues to work closely with NRW, water companies, the Met Office and other partners through the Wales Drought Liaison Group.
He stressed that environmental drought classifications should not be confused with restrictions on public water supplies.
At present, there are no immediate concerns about public water supplies in North Wales, and households and businesses supplied by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water continue to receive water as normal.
The drought declaration follows one of the driest springs and early summers in recent years, with river levels across parts of North Wales remaining well below seasonal averages. Environmental groups have warned that prolonged dry conditions can affect fish populations, wetland habitats, water quality and agricultural land if significant rainfall does not arrive.
NRW has previously highlighted concerns about the impact of prolonged dry weather on rivers including the Dee and other important watercourses across North Wales, where reduced flows can place additional stress on wildlife and ecosystems.
While no hosepipe restrictions are currently in place in North Wales, residents are being encouraged to use water responsibly and avoid unnecessary waste.
Elsewhere in Wales, Dŵr Cymru introduced a Temporary Use Ban on July 19 affecting parts of Mid and South Ceredigion, North Pembrokeshire and North Carmarthenshire. The company has said the restrictions were introduced due to exceptionally high customer demand rather than a shortage of water resources, with reservoir levels remaining healthy.
NRW says it will continue to monitor conditions closely over the coming weeks, with future decisions dependent on rainfall levels and river conditions.
The latest drought declaration is another reminder of the challenges posed by increasingly prolonged periods of hot and dry weather, particularly for rural areas, farming communities and the natural environment across North Wales.
