{"id":162458,"date":"2025-06-06T08:20:13","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T08:20:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/162458\/"},"modified":"2025-06-06T08:20:13","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T08:20:13","slug":"sepa-warns-water-restrictions-on-businesses-possible-unless-rainfall-improves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/162458\/","title":{"rendered":"SEPA warns water restrictions on businesses possible unless rainfall improves"},"content":{"rendered":"

Long-term water scarcity could lead to restrictions on businesses in some parts of Scotland unless rainfall improves, experts have warned.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said on Thursday that despite recent rain, water scarcity continues to increase in parts of the north and north-east.<\/p>\n

The Wick and Helmsdale river catchments have now been raised to moderate water scarcity, and SEPA said the Avon catchment (Spey), the lower Dee and the Water of Feugh in Aberdeenshire and the Helmsdale catchment may reach significant scarcity next week.<\/p>\n

It may mean restrictions on businesses taking water from the environment will be needed.<\/p>\n

SEPA said rain over the past week has led to recovery in areas of the west coast, and the Highlands and islands, but the east has remained largely dry. It said that is due in part to the rain shadow effect where moist air loses much of its rain as it moves over mountains, leaving drier conditions on the other side.<\/p>\n

Scotland has seen one of the driest starts to a year in decades this year, with some parts of the country having had little rain.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile the spring was the second driest in 100 years in eastern Scotland, SEPA says, and some areas have had below average rainfall for more than 12 months.<\/p>\n

Wet weather is forecast in the coming week, but SEPA said well above average rainfall will be needed to reverse the effects of the long dry spell.<\/p>\n

Claire Tunaley, senior hydrologist at SEPA\u2019s water resources unit, said: \u201cBy monitoring current river flows at key points across the country, and using rainfall data, soil moisture data, groundwater levels and what we see in the field, we can assess where recovery is happening and where risk remains.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur drought risk assessment tool, known as Drat, uses data from river gauging stations to monitor flows closely.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said if water flow falls below the threshold for 30 days or more, it indicates significant water scarcity and a high risk of ecological impact.<\/p>\n

She added: \u201cWhen rivers reach critical lows, it affects the whole ecosystem \u2013 including fish, plants and the wider natural balance.<\/p>\n

\u201cProtecting these ecosystems now helps maintain the long-term health of our rivers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eilidh Johnston, SEPA\u2019s senior manager in water industry and rural economy, said: \u201cSEPA has a clear duty to protect Scotland\u2019s rivers and water environment, not just today but for the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen conditions reach the point where any further reduction in flow would risk damage to the environment, we must act.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that water is vital for people, farms and businesses, which is why we\u2019ve been working so closely with abstractors and membership bodies to provide information about how the water scarcity situation has been developing in recent weeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut when river levels fall too low for too long, we must act to prevent long-term harm to the environment and future supplies.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny regulatory action we take is based on robust evidence-based assessments, using up-to-date scientific data and hydrological analysis.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat includes measured river levels, rainfall records, soil moisture and weather forecasts \u2013 as well as insights from our field staff.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf restrictions are necessary, they will be targeted, time-limited and lifted as soon as the conditions allow. We want to support Scotland\u2019s water resilience, and we make our decisions based on science and hard facts.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what powers Scotland\u2019s National Water Scarcity Plan and our weekly assessments. This is a co-ordinated, evidence-driven response to serious environmental pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n

STV News is now on WhatsApp<\/p>\n

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