The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is urging businesses to stay vigilant and ensure water supplies are managed sustainably as water scarcity Alerts are issued for areas around Firth of Tay and Firth of Forth.
The risk of water scarcity for areas around the rivers Don (Aberdeenshire), Tay, Earn and Clyde has also been raised to Early Warning, SEPA advised in the latest weekly report published on Thursday 1st August. Parts of the East, along with Kintyre, Irvine and Ayr, and the Cree area of Galloway remain at Early Warning.
While much of Scotland has experienced a relatively wet summer so far, some regions have experienced drier than average conditions. Limited rainfall over the past week, particularly across more central parts of Scotland, has meant that ground conditions and river flows have deteriorated across much of the country.
Ground conditions remain Quite Dry across much of the East and parts of the South-West. Firth of Tay and Firth of Forth areas have Dry ground conditions.
Claire Tunaley, Senior Hydrology Specialist at SEPA, said:
“Although the sun may not always shine during the Scottish summer, we all know the weather can be unpredictable and we’re now seeing drier conditions across parts of the country.
“This is a crucial time of year for water demand – it’s important water users and abstractors are aware of the risk of water scarcity so we can all help reduce pressure on the water environment. We know it can be challenging for businesses that rely on the water environment to plan ahead during periods of unsettled weather, but the reality is the situation can change very quickly should we have drier than average conditions.
“We’re encouraging abstractors to monitor water usage and review best practice to prepare for these dynamic conditions, rather than waiting until levels reach a critical state. Sustainable water management not only reduces environmental impacts during dry periods but can also lead to cost savings and improved efficiency for businesses.”
