Scotland faces record water scarcity with 17 catchments at Significant
Scotland’s east coast is facing record pressure on its rivers, with 17 areas now at Significant Scarcity – the highest number since the current version of the National Water Scarcity Plan was introduced. More areas could reach this level in the coming days.
While it is difficult to compare directly with previous years because area boundaries have been refined over time, this year stands out for the scale and duration of low rivers flows. In the Lower Spey, for example, the 2025 season has seen the highest number of low-flow days in a 70-year record.
In response, SEPA have imposed temporary restrictions on licensed abstractions in affected areas. The total number of licence restrictions put in place so far this year is around 270, the highest number SEPA have ever issued.
Significant Scarcity is now affecting the Upper Tweed, Mid-Tweed and Lauderdale, Tyne (Lothian), Fife (East Neuk), Leven (Fife), Lunan Water, Lower Dee and Water of Feugh, South Ugie Water, River Findhorn, Findhorn (East), River Avon, Lower Spey, Deveron, Upper and Lower Don (Aberdeenshire), Ythan and North Fife areas.
All affected licence holders have been issued with letters explaining what they need to do, with the time and date the restrictions come into effect. SEPA officers are out in catchments daily, monitoring conditions and supporting abstractors.
The River Lossie will reach Significant Scarcity on Friday. Unless there is sustained rainfall over the coming days the Brodie, River Helmsdale, Cromarty Firth (North), Inverness (East), River Nairn, Kyle of Sutherland and River Carron areas are due to go to Significant Scarcity next week.
While some rain is forecast, it is not yet clear whether this will be enough to see rivers recover enough to lift restrictions. SEPA will monitor the situation closely.
Regional conditions
North-East
Significant Scarcity: Deveron, Ythan, Upper and Lower Don, Lower Dee and Water of Feugh
Moderate Scarcity: Rest of the Dee
Speyside
Significant Scarcity: Lower Spey, River Findhorn, Findhorn East, River Avon, and from Friday the River Lossie
Moderate Scarcity: Rest of the Findhorn (Brodie and River Nairn), Mid and Upper Spey
Highlands and Islands
Moderate Scarcity: Helmsdale, Shin, Conon, Inverness (East)
Alert: River Naver, Thurso, Orkney
Early Warning: Shetland
Central – East
Significant Scarcity: East Neuk of Fife, Leven, Lunan Water, North Fife, Tyne
Moderate Scarcity: Almond and the rest of the Esk, Firth of Forth and Firth of Tay catchments
South – East
Significant Scarcity: Upper Tweed, Mid-Tweed & Lauderdale
Moderate Scarcity: Rest of the Tweed catchment
Unusual year of pressure
This year has been highly unusual, with repeated dry weather keeping rivers under strain throughout 2025.
Rivers naturally cope with changes in flow as part of their annual cycle, but extended low flows increase pressure on river ecology and recovery takes longer. Repeated low-flow years increase the risk of long-term or even permanent changes.
To better understand the impacts, SEPA has increased ecological monitoring. Additional assessments have been carried out over the summer to assess impacts on fish, in-stream ecology, and water quality.
David Harley, SEPA’s Head of Water and Planning, said: “With 17 catchments now at Significant Scarcity, and more abstraction licences restricted than ever before, Scotland’s rivers are under record pressure.
“Restrictions are always a last resort, but they are essential to protect the environment and all water users. The National Water Scarcity Plan sets out an approach which ensures the correct balance between protecting the environment and providing water for human and economic activity. It has clear thresholds for when restrictions are imposed and lifted, based on detailed monitoring of river levels underpinned by evidence and expertise in relation to the impact of extended low flows on river ecology.
“This year has been highly unusual – we’ve not seen water scarcity conditions persist for this length of time before. It underlines the importance of learning from these events and planning for how Scotland uses and protects its precious water resources in the face of climate change.”
