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Lundy Island, situated in the Bristol Channel near the coast of north Devon, is well-known for its picturesque scenery and rich wildlife, including puffins and seals. Despite its remote and rugged charm, the island is currently facing an unprecedented water crisis. Residents are grappling with record-low water supplies, prompting urgent measures to stretch their resources and avoid running completely dry. The 5km-long island, owned by the National Trust, depends entirely on rainwater collected and boreholes drilled into the granite for its water needs, making the ongoing drought particularly severe.
The summer of 2026 has been the hottest and driest experienced on Lundy to date, with almost no significant rainfall since April. By midsummer, only about 20% of the usual 1.5 meters of rainfall had been recorded. This dramatic lack of precipitation caused reservoir levels to plummet to just 13% capacity, forcing emergency water deliveries from the mainland to sustain the island’s 28 residents. Strict water usage restrictions have been implemented, including the unusual step of removing bath plugs at the island’s pub to prevent visitors from using excessive water. As a last resort, water is now being pumped from wildlife ponds to treatment facilities, a measure that had never been needed before.
Derek Green, the managing director of Lundy, has described the situation as a “steep learning curve” and warned that failing to secure more water soon could mean the island faces closure. The ferry that brings supplies and water deliveries is due to stop service later this month, adding urgency to the need for rain. Green emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that evacuating the inhabitants, as well as livestock on the island’s working farm, and canceling all holidays would have a massive impact on the community. “It would be hugely significant… we’re on the cusp of having to make that decision,” he said.
Logistical challenges have compounded the crisis. A landslip in June blocked part of
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