Scottish Environment Protection Agency – The NEN

Water scarcity situation worsens despite week of thunderstorms

Part of the River Esk area in Dumfries and Galloway is the second in Scotland to reach the highest water scarcity level in the most recent report published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). It joins Loch Maree in the Highlands, which remains at Significant for a third week.

While heavy, thundery showers across the country have led to some very localised recovery of rivers and groundwater, they have not been enough to sufficiently replenish levels and conditions continue to get worse.

The Conon river area in the Highlands and the Outer Hebrides have now been escalated to Moderate Scarcity, where the southwest and much of central Scotland remain. Without further rainfall, these areas risk reaching Significant. The rest of the country is in Alert level.

Protecting our water environment

Authorised water abstractors in Loch Maree and River Esk areas already have conditions as part of their permits to protect the environment against low river flows, and no additional restrictions are required by SEPA.

However, as further areas reach Significant water scarcity, action will be required to protect the sustainability of local water environments. SEPA understands the impacts on businesses facing these challenging conditions and is working to avoid full suspensions on abstractions; where possible, measures to significantly reduce the volume of water taken from rivers and lochs will be implemented.

Head of Water and Planning at SEPA, Nathan Critchlow-Watton said: “We know the pressures facing Scottish businesses right know, including Scotland’s farmers, and the importance of the food and drink they produce.

“That’s why we’re determined to protect our environment whilst supporting Scotland during prolonged dry periods such as this.

“Our approach is proportionate, aiming to help those businesses using the least water and whose activities are most efficient to continue operating.

“This is a temporary position, recognising the impact suspensions can have on businesses, but it’s important abstractors understand the need to work with us now and in future years to adapt to water scarcity.”

20230623-water-scarcity-report Download

Advice and guidance

SEPA is liaising with all sectors that abstract water from the environment, including agriculture, food and drink and leisure. Businesses are expected to put in place additional mitigation now to minimise the impacts of continued abstraction.

Guidance has been issued on which abstractors may be excluded from restrictions or have the volume of water they can take reduced rather than stopped. This will not be possible for all abstractors. SEPA will be in direct contact with businesses affected to provide additional advice.

Abstractors and irrigators are asked to manage water wisely, check SEPA’s water scarcity reports regularly and be aware of the situation in their area. They should regularly check abstraction equipment to make sure it’s in good condition and fix any leaks straight away. During dry periods, the volume and rate of abstractions should be reduced where possible.

It is also crucial for businesses to have a contingency plan for if restrictions are put in place by SEPA on abstractions. This can include using an alternative source if available within current authorisations.

More information, guidance and advice can be found at:

www.sepa.org.uk/waterscarcity.

SEPA chief executive resigns

Scottish Environment Protection Agency: Leadership Arrangements

TODAY (Friday, 21st January 2022) Bob Downes, Chairman of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, has confirmed that following conduct allegations, Terry A’Hearn has stepped down and left his position.

Mr. Downes said: “Following conduct allegations, Terry A’Hearn (above) has stepped down and left his position. SEPA has a clear Code of Conduct and takes conduct allegations very seriously indeed. In order to protect anonymity, SEPA is unable to comment further.”

Mr. Downes confirmed that recruitment for a new Chief Executive would shortly commence and in the interim, Chief Officer Jo Green would be Acting Chief Executive, supported by SEPA’s Agency Management Team.

SEPA warns of low water levels across Scotland

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is warning of an increasing water scarcity situation across the country with Northwest Scotland, Clyde, Ayrshire, Orkney and the Western Isles moving to Alert level. Most of the rest of the country is moving to the Early Warning tier, with Irvine and Ayr raised to Moderate Scarcity level.

SEPA is providing information for businesses that abstract water year-round on actions to take as resources reach critically low levels.
Changing weather patterns caused by climate change means water scarcity will become more common in Scotland.
Businesses looking for information on water scarcity and meeting licence conditions urged to contact SEPA at WaterScarcity@sepa.org.uk

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has warned of an increasing water scarcity situation across much of Scotland, with businesses which abstract water all year round being encouraged to take steps to reduce their water usage.

The latest weekly water situation report published by SEPA shows that the majority of the country has been raised to Early Warning level as conditions could deteriorate rapidly if the dry weather continues.

June has seen below average rainfall across the country and ground conditions have continued to dry rapidly over the past two weeks.

In north and south-western areas where they have experienced a relatively dry spring, many rivers have had prolonged low flows and depleted water resources.

River levels are now also low across eastern catchment areas – not unusual for the time of year – but with low rainfall forecast in the short term this situation could continue and result in impacts to the environment and affect water supplies. As a result, catchments between north Fife and Aberdeen have also been raised to alert level.

Groundwater levels are falling but so far remain within the normal range for the time of year.

The longer-term forecast suggests that there is an increased likelihood of hot, dry weather compared to normal, with a greater chance of impacts from hot weather.

Water is a resource that underpins key industries across Scotland, from food and drink production through to farming and golf course management, and while some businesses abstract seasonally, others need access to water all year round.

Those reliant on private water supplies are also feeling the effects of water scarcity. Of 22,000 private water supplies, almost 4,000 provide water to large numbers of domestic properties or businesses, including tourist accommodation, schools and care homes.

Businesses have been asked to act in order to mitigate the impacts of depleted resources in the area. These actions are:

Those in the agriculture sector still abstracting should stagger abstractions with other operators
Where possible reduce the volume of water being abstracted
Switch to other supplies or suspend abstractions if possible

Water abstractors licenced by SEPA should have a plan to deal with the range of conditions they may experience, including drought. They should monitor their water usage and equipment to ensure they are operating at maximum efficiency and avoiding any unnecessary leakage.

Changing climate patterns and extreme rainfall events put us in a position where an area can be experiencing water scarcity but still suffer from surface water flooding.

Terry A’Hearn, Chief Executive at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said: “The severity of the water scarcity picture in part of Scotland is further evidence that water scarcity will become more and more prevalent – and is just one of the many consequences of climate change the country faces.

“SEPA’s strategy for tackling this definitive challenge of our time is called ‘one planet prosperity’, focused on helping our communities and businesses thrive within the resources of our one planet.

“That is why it is important for businesses that abstract water to understand that SEPA is here to offer support and guidance, and we are setting out the key measures abstractors should be taking to conserve water, which is shared and finite.

“We want to work with businesses to plan long-term about their water usage so that we can preserve the resource as effectively as possible. This will protect both Scotland’s rivers and lochs and reduce their business risks.”

More information on water scarcity can be found at sepa.org.uk/ water-scarcity.

Businesses having difficulty obtaining water supply or that are concerned about meeting licence conditions should contact SEPA at WaterScarcity@sepa.org.uk.

Those concerned about private water supply levels should contact their local authority.

10 REGIONAL FLOOD ALERTS IN FORCE

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), this morning (Saturday 12th September 2020) confirmed that it had issued ten regional flood alerts for Scotland over the weekend period.

Mark Franklin, SEPA’s Duty Flood Manager, said: “With yet another wet weekend forecast for much of Scotland, SEPA has issued ten regional flood alerts.

“Persistent, and occasionally heavy rain will bring a gradual build-up of surface water and rising river levels during Saturday evening and into Sunday across many parts of the North, West and Central Highlands. This is likely to result in localised flooding of land and roads, as well as some transport disruption.

“Parts of Argyll, Easter Ross and Lochaber could experience flooding affecting communities and disruption to infrastructure due to the heaviest rain – and people living, working and travelling in these areas are advised to ensure they have signed up to Floodline and are prepared to take action to protect property. Advice on what you can do to prepare can be found at floodlinescotland.org.uk/

“North Ayrshire, the Central Highlands and the Ochils may also see impacts from rainfall, with localised flooding of known trouble spots likely.

“The Met Office has issued a weather warning for Central, Tayside & Fife, Highlands & Eilean Siar and Strathclyde from 18:00 on Saturday 12 until 23:59 on Sunday 13 September.

“SEPA is working 24/7 to monitor rainfall and river levels, and is in close contact with the Met Office and other partners to review the forecasts, which are combined with local expertise from all regions of Scotland to understand and present the flooding risk. Flood Alerts and Warnings are likely to be issued during Saturday and the most up-to-date information is always available on our website.”

Staying informed

All SEPA’s Alerts and Warnings are available on our website at floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/
Floodline is always the most up-to-date information – with any new flood updates available as soon as they are issued.
You can also sign up to receive these messages to your phone, for free. You can register online at floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodingsignup/

Be prepared and stay safe

Check Floodline – visit sepa.org.uk/floodupdates
Don’t walk through flood water – 15cm of fast flowing water could be enough to knock you off your feet and hazards can be hidden under the water.
On the road or on public transport we can expect difficult conditions.
Drive with care, and do not travel through deep fast flowing water. It only takes 30cm of fast flowing water to move an average family sized car.
If you are walking beside rivers be extra careful of wet footpaths and possibly small watercourses in spate.

What’s the difference between a Flood Alert and a Flood Warning?

We use forecast weather information provided by the Met Office combined with our own observation of rainfall and river levels and advanced hydrological modelling to provide advance warning of flooding.

Regional Flood Alerts are early advice that flooding is possible across a wider geographical area. The purpose of the Alerts is to make people aware of the risk of flooding and be prepared. We normally issue them 12 to 24 hours in advance of the possibility of flooding.
Flood Warnings are more locally specific and are issued for areas where we have gauges on rivers to measure the exact river height. They are issued at shorter notice when we are more certain that a specific area will be affected.

Today’s Area of Concern Map

Area A Persistent, and occasionally heavy rain will bring a gradual build-up of surface water and rising river levels during Saturday evening and into Sunday across many parts of the North, West and Central Highlands. This is likely to result in localised flooding of land and roads, as well as some transport disruption. Parts of Argyll, Easter Ross and Lochaber could experience flooding affecting communities and disruption to infrastructure due to the heaviest rain – and people living, working and travelling in these areas are advised to ensure they have signed up to Floodline and are prepared to take action to protect property. Advice on what you can do to prepare can be found at floodlinescotland.org.uk/
Area B North Ayrshire, the Central Highlands and the Ochils may also see impacts from rainfall, with localised flooding of known trouble spots likely. The Met Office has issued a weather warning for Central, Tayside & Fife, Highlands & Eilean Siar and Strathclyde from 18:00 on Saturday 12 until 23:59 on Sunday 13 September.