Tag: water scarcity risk

Call for responsible water use as resilience room meets

People and businesses are being urged to use water carefully as dry weather conditions are expected to persist and water demand is rising.

First Minister Humza Yousaf chaired a meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR) this afternoon, attended by Deputy First Minister Shona Robison, Justice and Home Affairs Secretary Angela Constance and partners including SEPA, Scottish Water and the Met Office, to consider preparations and mitigations in the event of further water scarcity. 

Following a drier than normal winter and spring, water levels in reservoirs are lower than would be expected for this time of year. Scottish Water reports that consumer demand has increased sharply since last weekend putting pressure on reservoirs, treatment works and water mains.

SEPA reports that, in the north of Scotland, the Loch Maree area has been raised to the Significant Water Scarcity level – the highest level – and the Ness area has increased to Moderate Water Scarcity. The Esk area in Dumfriesshire has also increased to Moderate Water Scarcity.

The First Minister said: “While there is no immediate risk to public water supplies, water levels are much lower than usual for the time of year, particularly in parts of north and southern Scotland. With little significant rain forecast, shortages could become more likely and potentially more widespread.

“Everyone needs to use water responsibly. I urge businesses and the public to follow the guidance provided by SEPA and Scottish Water on the measures that need to be taken.

“The Scottish Government has reopened the emergency scheme to provide bottled water to any homes on private water supplies that need it. Householders should contact their local council if required.

“Businesses extracting water directly from the environment are also being urged to put their water scarcity plans into action now to reduce pressure on the environment.

“The Scottish Government and partners are monitoring the situation closely and considering appropriate measures to mitigate potential future impacts.”

Water scarcity risk increases for businesses ahead of warm, dry weather

Alert level has been reached for the first time this year in the latest water scarcity report published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

The area around Loch Maree in the Highlands has recorded very low river flows and dry ground conditions, meaning businesses abstracting water from the environment need to start thinking now about the volume they take and when they take it, or consider an alternative source.

The risk of water scarcity is categorised in four levels – Early Warning, Alert, Moderate Scarcity and Significant Scarcity.

Areas in southern and central Scotland, and the majority of the north including the Western Isles, are also now in Early Warning.

Head of Water and Planning at SEPA, Nathan Critchlow-Watton, said: “With very little to no rainfall forecast across Scotland in the coming days, we expect ground conditions to continue getting drier and river flows to decrease or remain low.

“The next few weeks and months are a crucial time of year for water demand and we’re urging abstractors to manage water wisely, minimising the need for restrictions to be imposed by SEPA.”

Scotland’s climate is changing and, across the seasons, businesses are experiencing the impacts of more frequent extreme weather events like water scarcity.

The number of serious drought events is projected to increase from an average of one every 20 years, to one every two years in the near future.

Nathan Critchlow-Watton added: “We all have a role to play in managing our water environment, this summer and beyond. Through the efficient use of water, businesses can increase their resilience to the impacts of prolonged dry conditions and save money.”

Several industries across Scotland rely on natural water resources, whether it’s for food and drink production, hydropower or maintaining world famous golf courses.

All water abstractors should be aware of the potential risk of water scarcity, monitor their water use, and plan ahead.

Businesses should review available options to increase their resilience and reduce the impacts of water scarcity. For example, land managers could consider investing in equipment and infrastructure to improve efficiency, such as an irrigation lagoon.

Those collecting water from the same source are urged to work together with neighbours and stagger abstractions to make best use of available water.

Further advice and support is available at www.sepa.org.uk/waterscarcity.

Water scarcity risk increases across Scotland

Eleven more areas in Scotland are at an increased risk of water scarcity in the latest situation report published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) today. 

  • The Dee, Firth of Forth, Almond and Tyne catchment areas have been raised to Moderate Scarcity.  
  • The Clyde, Helmsdale, Earn and Spey catchments are now at Alert.  
  • The Ness, Nith and Doon catchments have reached Early Warning 

It comes after SEPA warned last week conditions were unlikely to improve as dry weather continues, leading to low river and groundwater levels.  

SEPA is monitoring the situation closely and coordinating steps to manage water resources in line with Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan. 

This includes advising businesses that abstract water in Moderate Scarcity areas to only do so when absolutely necessary, stagger their operations, reduce volumes and durations or suspend abstractions altogether.  

Abstractors in Alert areas should plan ahead and work with neighbouring water users to schedule abstractions where possible. 

In Early Warning areas, the advice is for businesses to consider their upcoming water requirements and to check equipment for any leaks. 

If the water scarcity risk level reaches Significant, then SEPA will consider whether restrictions on abstractions will be required to protect the water environment. 

Head of Water and Planning at SEPA, Nathan Crichlow-Watton, said: “The situation continues to deteriorate in the east of the country, with most areas now in Alert or Moderate Scarcity level.  

“We’re also now seeing conditions worsen in the south-west and businesses that rely on water in this part of the country should also be thinking about how to be more efficient.  

“Water scarcity is a very real threat as a result of climate change, and one which affects multiple industries across Scotland including agriculture, whisky production, golf and hydropower. 

“We continue to support businesses across sectors to plan for and manage these conditions now and in the future.  

“However, where businesses deliberately fail to follow abstraction licenses set out by SEPA, we will take appropriate enforcement action to protect the environment.” 

For more information on water scarcity, as well as the latest report, visit:

www.sepa.org.uk/waterscarcity