# Drought damage to UK wildlife will last for years

> England and Wales recorded their driest Julys since 1836, triggering environmental damage that officials say will persist long after the rain returns.
- Title: Drought damage to UK wildlife will last for years | Shortify
- Summary: England and Wales recorded their driest Julys since 1836, triggering environmental damage that officials say will persist long after the rain returns. The UK…
- Keywords: drought, wildlife, england, wales, environment agency, natural england, climate crisis, water supply, news, world, damage, last
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/21/wildlife-drought-uk-environmental-incidents
- Published: 2026-09-21T16:52:27+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: drought, wildlife, england, wales, environment agency, natural england, climate crisis, water supply, news, world
## Driest summer on record
England and Wales both recorded their driest Julys since records began in 1836. Heatwaves and new temperature records combined with the lack of rainfall.
## Water demand surged
The extreme heat and dry weather increased demand for water by as much as thirty percent on the hottest days. Scientists said this extreme weather was only possible due to climate crisis caused by burning fossil fuels.
## Reservoirs remain critically low
Despite recent rainfall, England's reservoir storage is now nineteen point seven percent below average for the time of year. Most reservoirs are classed as notably or exceptionally low.
## Environmental damage mounting
Three hundred forty-nine environmental incidents have been recorded so far this year, exceeding the three hundred twenty-one in two thousand twenty-five. Incidents include algal blooms, fish deaths, water quality problems and low flows.
## Wildlife impacts will persist
Natural England said breeding waders and specialist wetland invertebrates struggled significantly, while some species-rich environments dried out completely. Effects on wildlife populations and ecosystems will last for years to come.

> The effects on wildlife populations and ecosystems will last for years to come.
## Recovery requires sustained rainfall
The drought group said it will take months of significant and sustained rainfall for the drought to end. The Environment Agency said one hundred twenty percent of average rainfall was needed over the coming seven months for the entire country to be out of drought by next spring.
## Key takeaway

The UK government warns that wildlife in England and Wales will suffer lasting effects from this year's severe drought, which saw record-breaking heat and dry conditions.