In Depth: Call for responsible water use as Resilience Room meets
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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) on Thursday 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.”
SEPA's latest report published on Thursday says - The Loch Maree area has increased to Significant Water Scarcity due to prolonged extremely low river flows in the area.
When an area reaches Significant Water Scarcity we consider additional action to protect the environment. In this instance, no additional steps are required because authorised abstractions have licensed conditions to protect low flows.
Where action is required to protect the environment this would be for the minimum time necessary and would be lifted as soon as possible.
The northwest Highlands, extending down to Loch Ness, are also continuing to experience very low river levels.
As a result, the Ness has increased to Moderate Scarcity, and more areas to the north and west of the highlands have moved to Alert level.
The Esk area of Dumfriesshire in the south has also been moved to Moderate Scarcity due to prolonged very low flows.
Due to the widespread hot, dry weather over the last week, the rapid drying of ground conditions has continued.
This, combined with low river flows, has moved most of the rest of Scotland to Alert level.
A brief change in the weather is expected with localised heavy showers forecast for Sunday and Monday before a return to predominantly dry weather mid-week.
The anticipated average rainfall over the coming days is expected to do little to alleviate the current water scarcity situation and dry weather is expected to dominate into late June and early July.
Nathan Critchlow-Watton, Head of Water and Planning at SEPA, said: “For the risk of water scarcity to have reached significant this early in the summer is extremely concerning and leaves no doubt that the next few months are going to be very challenging for all those who rely on the water environment to run their business.
“While water levels are critical in this part of the Highlands, we can see other areas of Scotland are on the same trajectory and it’s vital that businesses take steps now to maximise the resource available and prevent further environmental harm.”
This week’s water scarcity report reveals two areas are now at moderate scarcity - the Ness area in the Highlands and the Esk area of Dumfriesshire.
Most of the rest of the country is now at Alert – except for seven areas in early warning - Orkney, Ythan, Don, Kintyre, Firth of Clyde, Loch Fyne and the River Add.
Abstractors and irrigators are advised to manage water wisely to minimise the need for licence restrictions, and regularly check equipment to make sure it's in good condition and not leaking.
Where possible, the volume and rate of abstractions should be reduced.
Sarah Cowie, Environmental Resources Policy Manager at NFUS, said: “Water is a vital resource for the agricultural sector as we cannot produce food without a consistent and plentiful water supply.
"Last year, SEPA suspended abstraction licences for some growers for the first time and the current prolonged period of dry weather across the country means all farmers and growers must think about water use on farm now and plan ahead for the coming summer season.
" Our Horticulture Working Group met with SEPA this week to discuss a partnership approach between growers and SEPA on water resource management.”
Anyone concerned about meeting licence conditions or wishing to discuss contingency measures are encouraged to contact SEPA by emailing waterscarcity@sepa.org.uk.
