SEPA warns water restrictions on businesses possible unless rainfall improves
Long-term water scarcity could lead to restrictions on businesses in some parts of Scotland unless rainfall improves, experts have warned.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said on Thursday that despite recent rain, water scarcity continues to increase in parts of the north and north-east.
The Wick and Helmsdale river catchments have now been raised to moderate water scarcity, and SEPA said the Avon catchment (Spey), the lower Dee and the Water of Feugh in Aberdeenshire and the Helmsdale catchment may reach significant scarcity next week.
In may mean restrictions on businesses taking water from the environment will be needed.
SEPA said rain over the past week has led to recovery in areas of the west coast, and the Highlands and islands, but the east has remained largely dry. It said that is due in part to the rain shadow effect where moist air loses much of its rain as it moves over mountains, leaving drier conditions on the other side.
Scotland has seen one of the driest starts to a year in decades this year, with some parts of the country having had little rain.
Meanwhile the spring was the second driest in 100 years in eastern Scotland, SEPA says, and some areas have had below average rainfall for more than 12 months.
Wet weather is forecast in the coming week, but SEPA said well above average rainfall will be needed to reverse the effects of the long dry spell.
Claire Tunaley, senior hydrologist at SEPA's water resources unit, said: 'By monitoring current river flows at key points across the country, and using rainfall data, soil moisture data, groundwater levels and what we see in the field, we can assess where recovery is happening and where risk remains.
'Our drought risk assessment tool, known as Drat, uses data from river gauging stations to monitor flows closely.'
She said if water flow falls below the threshold for 30 days or more, it indicates significant water scarcity and a high risk of ecological impact.
She added: 'When rivers reach critical lows, it affects the whole ecosystem – including fish, plants and the wider natural balance.
'Protecting these ecosystems now helps maintain the long-term health of our rivers.'
Eilidh Johnston, SEPA's senior manager in water industry and rural economy, said: 'SEPA has a clear duty to protect Scotland's rivers and water environment, not just today but for the future.
'When conditions reach the point where any further reduction in flow would risk damage to the environment, we must act.
'We know that water is vital for people, farms and businesses, which is why we've been working so closely with abstractors and membership bodies to provide information about how the water scarcity situation has been developing in recent weeks.
'But when river levels fall too low for too long, we must act to prevent long-term harm to the environment and future supplies.
'Any regulatory action we take is based on robust evidence-based assessments, using up-to-date scientific data and hydrological analysis.
'That includes measured river levels, rainfall records, soil moisture and weather forecasts – as well as insights from our field staff.
'If restrictions are necessary, they will be targeted, time-limited and lifted as soon as the conditions allow. We want to support Scotland's water resilience, and we make our decisions based on science and hard facts.
'That's what powers Scotland's National Water Scarcity Plan and our weekly assessments. This is a co-ordinated, evidence-driven response to serious environmental pressure.'
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