Edinburgh and the Lothians has been upgraded to a rare ‘moderate water scarcity’ warning as ground conditions continue to dry out.
Following a prolonged dry spell across Scotland this month, Scottish Water recently issued a warning to customers to use water more efficiently.
SEPA recently upgraded the river catchments of the Firth of Forth, Tyne and Almond – covering Edinburgh and the Lothians – from ‘alert’ to ‘moderate scarcity’, the second highest warning.
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They say river levels are very low and continuing to fall across most of Scotland. The warning follows a drier than normal autumn and winter with some areas in the east now having 11 months of below average rainfall.
The environmental agency added due to no significant rainfall currently forecasted for the next week, river and ground conditions will remain very dry.
They added: “We advise water users, including those with private water supplies, to be aware of the potential risk of water scarcity this summer, and for businesses to plan ahead where possible.”
Last Thursday Scottish Water asked customers across the country to use water “more efficiently” amid “challenges” in maintaining normal water supplies due to warmer weathers.
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They added reservoir levels, the forecast for the foreseeable and an increased demand have prompted a first call to customers to be cautious. However, they confirmed there is “no impending crisis” or threat of a hosepipe ban.
The latest reports also confirms every area of Scotland has some form of water scarcity, with the Inner and Outer Hebrides placed on an early warning and the rest of the country on alert or moderate scarcity.
SEPA’s latest scarcity report can be viewed online here.