The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has said that all of Scotland is now at some level of water scarcity alert, following a drier than normal autumn and winter with some areas of the east of Scotland now having 11 months of below average rainfall.
With no significant rainfall currently forecast, it is likely that river and ground conditions will remain very dry over the next week.
Most of mainland Scotland’s east coast has now moved to Moderate Scarcity, according to SEPA’s latest Water Situation Report.
River catchments across the Deveron, Ythan, Don (Aberdeenshire), Dee (Aberdeen), Esk, Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Almond, Tyne (Lothian), Tweed and Esk (Dumfriesshire) are now at Moderate.
There has been no recovery elsewhere and most of the rest of Scotland is now at Alert, with only the Inner and Outer Hebrides remaining at Early Warning.
Groundwater levels in Fife and Angus were at their lowest April averages on record, with Newton of Falkland recording the lowest level for April in 28 years. Soil moisture deficits are continuing to increase, and soils are becoming drier than would be expected for the time of year.
In the River Dee in Aberdeenshire records going back 97 years show flows are at their second lowest this early in the year, only 1938 was drier. Typically, the lowest river flows in the Dee occur in July, August or September.
Some parts of Fife have now gone nearly four weeks without measurable rainfall. Across the east river flows are well below normal for this time of year and without significant rain conditions are unlikely to recover soon.
Water scarcity levels
- Early Warning: Conditions are drying. No action required, but abstractors should start preparing.
- Alert: Water levels are falling. SEPA advises voluntary reductions in non-essential water use for abstractors.
- Moderate Scarcity: Environmental impact is clear. Action from abstractors is expected to protect rivers and the species that rely on them.
- Significant Scarcity: Critical river levels. Restrictions on abstraction licences may be imposed.
Claire Tunaley, Senior Hydrologist – Water Resources Unit, SEPA said:
“We’re seeing the kind of conditions we normally associate with late summer in some places – and it’s only May.
“Groundwater and river levels across the east are already hitting record lows. In Fife and Aberdeenshire, we’re seeing some of the driest conditions in living memory for this time of year. With parts of Scotland now at 11 months of below average rainfall it will take above-average rainfall over an extended period to recover to normal levels, especially for groundwater levels.
“Our message is clear: if you abstract water from our environment – whether you work in agriculture, energy, industry, distilling, food and drink or the leisure sector – you must take action now to help protect your operations and help safeguard Scotland’s rivers and wildlife in the weeks ahead.”
