SEPA warns of water scarcity in eastern Scotland
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The risk of water scarcity in eastern parts of Scotland is increasing according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
And the organisation has warned conditions are unlikely to improve in the next week.
Officials said despite some rainfall in recent days, many areas have continued to get drier throughout June and into July and very little rainfall is forecast across the country for the week ahead.
In the latest water scarcity report published by SEPA, the River Ythan catchment in Aberdeenshire joins the Firth of Tay in Moderate Scarcity level due to very dry ground conditions and low river levels.
Areas around the River Irvine and River Ayr in Ayrshire are also now at Early Warning stage, again due to low river levels.
The majority of the east remains in "alert" status.
Businesses taking water from outside sources (abstraction) in moderate scarcity areas are advised to only do so when absolutely necessary, stagger their operations, reduce volumes and durations or suspend plans altogether.
SEPA can also offer support on switching supplies, such as using groundwater instead of river water.
In early warning areas, the advice is for businesses to consider their upcoming water requirements, how to use water more efficiently and to check equipment for any leaks.
Water Resources Specialist at SEPA, Michael Wann, said: “Water is a resource that underpins key industries across Scotland - from food and drink production, to farming and golf course management.
“All licensed abstractors must have a plan to deal with the range of conditions they experience throughout the year, including the current deteriorating water scarcity situation.
“Water is shared and finite, and we all need to work together to manage it as efficiently as possible. We want to work with businesses to plan long-term for their usage so that we can preserve the resource as effectively as possible.”
It comes after SEPA warned in March about the growing threat of water scarcity this year as a result of a particularly dry winter.
It is also expected water scarcity will become a more frequent occurrence as a result of climate change.
More information on how to prepare and manage water usage is available on SEPA's website.
