Wessex water situation: February 2025 summary
Updated 12 March 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/water-situation-local-area-reports/wessex-water-situation-february-2025-summary
1. Summary
During February an average of 76mm of rain fell across Wessex. This was 116% of the long term average (LTA). The majority of rain fell during the latter half of the month. Soil moisture deficit (SMD) remained close to zero throughout February. In river catchments on the Chalk, most monthly mean flows were above normal except for on the Hampshire Avon where mean flows were notably high. Monthly mean flows in most other catchments were normal. Most groundwater sites monitoring the Chalk reported levels between normal and above normal while sites in the north monitoring the great and inferior Oolite recorded notably high levels. Reservoirs ended February at close to 100% capacity for both Wessex Water and Bristol Water. For both water companies this was similar to levels in February 2024.
2. Rainfall
In February an average of 76mm (116% LTA) of rain fell across Wessex. All hydrological areas in Wessex received normal rainfall except for 3 areas to the east of Wessex which received above normal rainfall. Most rainfall in February was during the latter half of the month: 73% of rain fell between 19 and 26 February. Daily rainfall was highest on 23 February when 32% of the whole month’s rain fell.
In the last 3 months, most hydrological areas have received normal rainfall on average with two areas to the east receiving above normal rainfall. In the last 6 months, most hydrological areas received notably high rainfall except in the north east of Wessex where several areas received exceptionally high rainfall. In the last 12 months, hydrological areas across most of Wessex received notably high rainfall except for several areas in the south and east which received exceptionally high rainfall. In both the last 6 and 12 months, all hydrological areas received at least above normal rainfall. Of the last 24 months, 18 had above average rainfall. This has resulted in the wettest 24 month period (March to February) since records began in 1891.
3. Soil moisture
Soil moisture deficit (SMD) in Wessex remained close to zero throughout February. SMD at the end of the month was near zero across all areas of Wessex. SMD at the end of February was within 5mm of the LTA across all hydrological areas of Wessex.
4. River flows
The majority of sites within Chalk catchments reported above normal mean monthly flows. Amongst sites outside of Chalk catchments, most reported normal mean monthly flows. The only sites to record notably high mean monthly flows in February were Amesbury and East Mills Combined on the Hampshire Avon. Reporting sites in Chalk catchments typically recorded higher flows than in other geologies as flows are supported by strong baseflow from the aquifer.
Daily mean flows in February initially fell in February during the period of low rainfall at the start of February. For most sites, daily mean flows during February peaked towards the end of the month in response to rainfall during the last week of the month.
5. Groundwater levels
The majority of groundwater monitoring sites across the south of Wessex, including sites monitoring the Chalk aquifer ended February reporting between normal and above normal levels. The only exception was Woodyates which recorded notably high levels. In the north of Wessex, both Allington and Didmarton (monitoring the great and inferior Oolite respectively) also recorded notably high levels in February. At the end of the month, groundwater levels across all sites apart from Didmarton and Overcompton were increasing.
6. Reservoir stocks
Both Wessex Water and Bristol Water reservoir levels remained close to 100% capacity throughout February. The current combined levels for both Wessex Water and Bristol Water are similar to those recorded this time last year. Current reservoir levels for Bristol Water are also similar to those recorded in February 1995. For Wessex Water, current reservoir levels are slightly higher than those from February 1995.
Author: Wessex Hydrology, hydrology.wessex@environment-agency.gov.uk
All data are provisional and may be subject to revision. The views expressed in this document are not necessarily those of the Environment Agency. Its officers, servants or agents accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from the interpretation or use of the information, or reliance upon views contained in this report.