Seven areas in eastern Scotland are now at Significant Scarcity, as the latest weekly Water Scarcity Report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows a contrasting picture across the country.
Tay Estuary (North), Whiteadder Water and Berwickshire Coastal have moved to Significant Scarcity this week. They join North Fife, Fife (East Neuk), Stonehaven and North Esk at the highest level on SEPA’s five-tier water scarcity scale.
Low to very low river flows continue across much of eastern Scotland, while most western catchments are experiencing normal to high flows.
Across Scotland, 32 areas are currently at Normal Conditions, five are at Early Warning, five at Alert, five at Moderate Scarcity and seven at Significant Scarcity.
The changing picture highlights the importance of continued monitoring of individual catchments. Conditions have improved in some areas without necessarily returning to normal, while elsewhere very low river flows have persisted for around six weeks. Full recovery of water resources can take a long time following such conditions.
In North Fife and Fife (East Neuk), river flows have remained below the Significant Scarcity threshold for 46 consecutive days. Stonehaven and North Esk have experienced 45 consecutive days of very low flows.
Weekly report, daily monitoring
SEPA publish a national Water Scarcity Report each week during the season, but river conditions are monitored daily through the Drought Risk Assessment Tool.
The tool tracks the number of consecutive days river flows have been very low. When very low flows persist for 30 days, an area can reach Significant Water Scarcity and restrictions on licensed water abstraction may be introduced to protect rivers and the wildlife they support.
Changes to abstraction licences do not wait for the next weekly report. River conditions are assessed daily, allowing restrictions to be introduced where necessary and lifted when flows recover sufficiently.
Abstractors in Lunan Water have also been advised of the potential for restrictions if very low river flows continue. Current monitoring indicates the area could reach Significant Scarcity in around 10 days, although changes in river flows could alter that position.
Eilidh Johnston, SEPA Senior Leader in Compliance, said: “The picture across Scotland remains very mixed. Most western catchments are experiencing normal to high river flows, while parts of eastern Scotland continue to face significant pressure after a prolonged dry spring and summer.
“Some eastern catchments have now experienced very low river flows for around six weeks. In others, conditions have improved enough to reset the count, while elsewhere pressures are beginning to build again.
“That is why close monitoring matters. Our weekly report gives a national picture, but conditions in individual rivers are monitored daily. That means we can see where pressure is increasing or easing and make evidence-led decisions about when action is needed to protect the water environment.
“It also means the position can change between weekly reports. Where restrictions on licensed abstraction are needed, those decisions are based on the conditions we are seeing in rivers, rather than waiting for the next weekly update.”
Pressure remains concentrated in the east
Ground conditions remain dry across parts of eastern Scotland, with only limited improvement seen in recent weeks.
Groundwater levels remain low to very low across much of eastern Scotland, while levels elsewhere are generally normal or above. Loch levels are generally normal to above normal.
The differences between catchments mean recent weather alone cannot provide a complete picture of water scarcity. River flows can respond quickly, while groundwater, soil moisture and the effects of prolonged dry conditions can take longer to recover.
SEPA continue to work directly with abstractors and other water users in affected catchments to help them understand local conditions, prepare for potential restrictions and build resilience to future periods of water scarcity.
The latest Water Scarcity Report, current scarcity levels and the Drought Risk Assessment Tool are available on SEPA’s website.
Current water scarcity levels
Significant Scarcity: Stonehaven, North Esk, Fife (East Neuk), North Fife, Tay Estuary (North), Whiteadder Water, Berwickshire coastal
Moderate Scarcity: Esk (Angus), Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Tyne (Lothian), Tweed
Alert: Deveron, Ythan, Don (Aberdeenshire), Almond, Dee (Aberdeen)
Early warning: Spey, Tay, Cree, Findhorn, Earn
All areas not mentioned above are at Normal conditions.
