The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has confirmed that Scotland will enter a fourth month of water scarcity.
Despite recent rainfall easing conditions in some areas, six catchments remain at Moderate Scarcity, with a further four at Alert and 11 at Early Warning. This week Shetland has moved to Early Warning. The Conon catchment has improved to normal conditions. Elsewhere conditions remain unchanged.
Since the first warning about the increasing risk of water scarcity back in March, SEPA says it has been working to support abstraction licence holders, ensuring they have the information and guidance needed to adapt.
SEPA says its ongoing monitoring has enabled the agency to anticipate risks and engage early with abstracters, ensuring that any next to restrictions on water abstraction were implemented only when absolutely required. This proactive approach meant that, despite coming very close twice so far this year, no unnecessary restrictions have been imposed safeguarding both water users and the environment.
Catrin Thomas, Senior Scientist in SEPA’s Water Resources Unit, said:
“Water scarcity isn’t just a one-off event – it’s a long-term challenge, and we’re here for Scotland throughout.
“Our staff have been monitoring conditions, sharing updates weekly and engaging directly with those who rely on our water resources. Twice this year we’ve experienced spells of prolonged dry weather, and due to the dry autumn and winter, that has made it harder for catchments to recover. Another period of warm dry weather could quickly push some areas back into more serious levels of scarcity.
“We understand the pressures that come with managing water, and our role is to provide timely reliable information so no one is caught off guard. As the weather shifts, we urge all abstractors to continue using water efficiently, especially those in at risk areas, and keep informed through our website and reports. We’ll continue providing timely information and expert advice to help manage Scotland’s water resources sustainably.”