Abstractors are being urged to plan ahead as the risk of water scarcity across the east of Scotland remains.
The latest weekly water scarcity report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows Findhorn has reached Moderate Scarcity with the Dee (Aberdeen) raised to Alert level.
This takes the number of areas in Moderate Scarcity to two; Findhorn and Tyne (Lothian) and the number of Alert levels to eight; Deveron, Ythan, Don (Aberdeenshire), Dee (Aberdeen), Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Almond and Tweed catchments.
SEPA publishes weekly water scarcity reports throughout the summer to provide abstractors with up-to-date information on conditions across the country. Reporting is designed to provide advance notice of developing conditions to support sustainable water use and help users plan ahead.
- Early Warning means conditions are becoming drier. No action is required at this stage, but abstractors are encouraged to prepare and review water use.
- Alert means river water levels are falling and SEPA advises voluntary reductions in non-essential water use by abstractors.
- Moderate Scarcity means environmental impact is clear. Action from abstractors is expected to protect rivers and the species that rely on them.
Despite the recent unsettled weather, the eastern coastal areas are experiencing more long-term dry conditions, following on from a dry spring, with wetter conditions experienced in the west.
As river flows are low to very low across eastern areas for this time of year with ground conditions particularly in the east and northeast becoming very dry, we will be contacting local abstractors regarding the situation giving them as much notice as possible to prepare ahead.
SEPA continues to monitor conditions closely through its national water scarcity reporting.
SEPA’s drought risk assessment tool provides up-to-date local information on river flows and potential water scarcity risk to help abstractors monitor conditions and support planning ahead.
Eilidh Johnston, Senior Leader in Compliance, said: “With warm and dry weather continuing in the east of the country, we are now starting to see the impacts of water scarcity with additional areas moving to Moderate Scarcity and Alert level.
“Several eastern catchments are experiencing drier than normal conditions and river flows are low to very low for this time of year there. As a result, there remains a risk of water scarcity developing into summer, particularly across the east, if summer rainfall is lower than normal.
“SEPA’s water scarcity reporting provides abstractors and other water users with advance notice of changing conditions so they can review water use, check equipment is operating effectively and plan ahead if needed.
“We would encourage abstractors to make use of SEPA’s drought risk assessment tools and guidance to help understand local conditions, increase their resilience to the impacts of prolonged dry conditions and support sustainable water use during dry periods.”
Further information on water scarcity levels, guidance and weekly reports is available on SEPA’s website.
