Latest news with #EilidhJohnston
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Climate
- Scotsman
SEPA say several Scottish rivers close to having 'critically low' water levels
It is the third time this year that river levels in eastern Scotland have given Sepa cause for concern. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Several Scottish rivers and estuaries are approaching a critical level of water scarcity. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has announced six areas experiencing moderate scarcity - including the River Don and the Firth of Tay - and are estimated to be around two weeks away from significant scarcity. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It is the third time this year that river levels in eastern Scotland have been approaching significant scarcity. Scotland was placed under some level of water scarcity warning in May after the driest start to the year in six decades. Eilidh Johnston, SEPA's senior manager in water industry and rural economy, said: 'Rivers in eastern Scotland remain under sustained pressure. 'Approaching significant scarcity for the third time this year in some areas highlights the vulnerability of eastern Scotland's water environment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Firth of Tay, which empties the pictured River Tay, is experiencing moderate scarcity. 'Throughout the spring and summer, we've been working closely with abstractors in the areas most at risk - including calling licence holders directly. Make sure you keep up to date with news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here. 'We'll also continue to work with organisations like NFUS, Scotch Whisky Association and Scottish Golf to ensure advice is shared and impacts are understood.' What's happening? Some rivers in the east of Scotland are once again approaching critical low flow levels and a number of areas are around two weeks away from potential significant scarcity. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The first was in May during a dry spell of hot, dry weather and it happened again in July after several weeks of high temperatures and little rain. On both occasions rainfall arrived just before regulatory action was required. However, river flows in these areas have never fully recovered to normal, leaving them vulnerable to the current conditions. Following a very dry autumn and winter, rivers entered spring with below-average levels. SEPA say a dry spring and summer have compounded the situation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While the west is mostly back to normal conditions following rain at the start of June, rivers in the east remain particularly vulnerable due to the rain shadow effect and the way these rivers are fed by snowmelt and groundwater. Recent rain has not been enough to offset months of low rainfall as much of the water from showers and downpours runs off quickly rather than soaking in. Which rivers are affected? Water scarcity is a situation where the demand for water exceeds the available supply. SEPA's latest weekly Water Scarcity Report shows six river catchments remain at moderate scarcity – the Deveron, Ythan, Don and Esk in the north east as well as Firth of Tay and Tyne in Lothian. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There are now six catchments on alert, with the River Almond and Tweed joining Findhorn, Spey, Dee and Firth of Forth. Orkney, Thurso and Clyde have been raised to an early warning. The warning by Sepa was issued just hours before heavy downpours caused flash flooding in Dundee and mudslides in Aberdeenshire. The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms.
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Herald Scotland
Rivers in eastern Scotland facing moderate water scarcity
SEPA has warned that some areas are just two weeks away from significant scarcity. This is the third instance of parts of eastern Scotland nearing significant scarcity in 2025. The first was in May during a spell of hot, dry weather, and it happened again in July after several weeks of high temperatures and little rain. READ MORE: On both occasions, rainfall arrived just before regulatory action was required. However, river flows in these areas have never fully recovered to normal, leaving them vulnerable to the current conditions. The situation has been compounded by a very dry autumn and winter, which left rivers entering spring with below-average levels. A dry spring and summer have further worsened the situation. Although the west is mostly back to normal conditions following rain at the start of June, rivers in the east remain particularly vulnerable due to the rain shadow effect and the way these rivers are fed by snowmelt and groundwater. Some eastern catchments experience rainfall levels similar to East Anglia, leaving them more susceptible to prolonged low flows. Recent rain has not been sufficient to offset months of low rainfall and high evaporation. Eilidh Johnston, SEPA's senior manager in water industry and rural economy, said: "Rivers in eastern Scotland remain under sustained pressure. "Approaching significant scarcity for the third time this year in some areas highlights the vulnerability of eastern Scotland's water environment. "We understand that after such a long period, the message may feel repetitive, and it's easy to assume that rainfall will arrive in time to ease the pressure as it has before. "But there's no guarantee that will happen this time. "That's why it's vital that businesses continue to stay engaged, understand conditions in their area and take action where needed." In some areas, river levels remain well below what is typical for the time of year and the ground is dry, meaning much of the water from showers and downpours runs off quickly rather than soaking in. Ms Johnston added: "We've been working closely with abstractors in the areas most at risk, including calling licence holders directly. "We'll also continue to work with organisations like NFUS, Scotch Whisky Association and Scottish Golf to ensure advice is shared and impacts are understood. "We know how important water is to the Scottish economy, particularly sectors like farming, food and drink, and energy. "We also know that without a healthy water environment, those sectors cannot thrive. "As an effective regulator, our role is to balance the needs of businesses with the health of the environment they rely on."
Scotsman
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Scotsman
Experts warn water levels could ‘deteriorate quickly' despite recent wet weather
Farmers, distilleries and industry urged not to wait until situation reaches 'crisis point' to start using water more efficiently Sign up to our Scotsman Rural News - A weekly of the Hay's Way tour of Scotland emailed direct to you. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Experts have warned that water levels in many of Scotland's rivers could 'deteriorate quickly' despite recent rainfall, with waterways remaining 'stressed' by months of exceptionally dry weather. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said while rainfall in late May and early June brought relief to parts of the country, it has not been enough to reverse underlying dry conditions. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Eight river catchments – the Spey, Deveron, Ythan, Don, Dee, Esk, Firth of Tay and Tyne – remain at 'Moderate Scarcity', while a further seven – Wick, Helmsdale, Naver, Findhorn, Forth, Almond and Tweed – are at 'Alert' status because of low water levels. People enjoying the warm weather in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens on Thursday. Temperatures could hit 33C this weekend as parts of the UK bask in a heatwave | PA The agency has called on water abstractors, such as farmers, distilleries and industry, not to wait until the situation reaches 'crisis point' before starting to use water more efficiently. Claire Tunaley, senior hydrologist – water resources unit at Sepa said: 'It won't take a heatwave for river levels to fall again. READ MORE: Scotland rejects climate change committee advice to cut livestock herds by a quarter Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'With summer only just beginning, and rainfall in the east still well below average, conditions could deteriorate quickly. 'Rivers entered summer already stressed after months of below average rainfall, and the kind of brief periods of rain we can get over the summer often don't soak in properly or evenly enough to reverse that. 'Less water in rivers means warmer temperatures, lower oxygen, and shrinking channels, all of which increase pressure on fish, aquatic life, and habitats.' Sepa started issuing water scarcity warnings in March, following an 'exceptionally dry' autumn and winter, and then the second-driest spring in more than a century. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Above-average rainfall needed The body said parts of the country have seen below-average rainfall for over a year, and even where recent rain has brought short-term improvement above-average rainfall is still needed for water scarcity levels to recover in some areas. READ MORE: Rosebank and other North Sea oil and gas fields could be given green light under new guidelines Eilidh Johnston, Sepa's senior manager in water industry and rural economy, said: 'We don't wait until the situation reaches crisis point to act, and we don't expect water users to either. People enjoying the warm weather in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens | PA 'Many abstractors have already been planning ahead and taking steps to use water efficiently, especially in areas of alert and moderate scarcity. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We've talked to over 400 licence holders across the last few months and welcome the steps that have been taken by farmers, distilleries, industry and others to use water efficiently. We urge them to continue to do that.' She advised anyone with an abstraction licence in an area of moderate scarcity not to be 'concerned' if Sepa get in touch. Ms Johnston continued: 'We're still contacting abstractors where rivers are low to ensure they have all the information they need to make decisions about their water use, and to make sure nothing comes as a surprise if further action becomes necessary.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
STV News
19-06-2025
- Climate
- STV News
Multiple warnings issued as temperatures soar across Scotland
Multiple warnings have been issued as temperatures soar across Scotland. The warmer conditions come after days of heavy rain and thunderstorms across the country, however, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has warned Scots not to be complacent about water usage. The watchdog previously warned of the chance of water scarcity in March after an 'exceptionally dry' spring, which was the second driest in more than 100 years. iStock SEPA issued warnings after the second driest Spring in 100 years. This dry season was broken up by heavy rain and thunderstorms. But SEPA said large parts of Scotland remain at some level of water scarcity despite the wet conditions. The organisation said rainfall in late May and early June brought localised relief, but it has not reversed the underlying dry conditions. Eight river catchments, including the Spey, Deveron, Ythan, Don, Dee, Esk, Firth of Tay and Tyne remain at 'moderate scarcity'. Seven additional catchments – Wick, Helmsdale, Naver, Findhorn, Forth, Almond, and Tweed – are also on alert. Claire Tunaley, senior hydrologist for the water Resources Unit at SEPA, said it won't take a heatwave for river levels to fall again. She said: 'Rivers entered summer already stressed after months of below average rainfall, and the kind of brief periods of rain we can get over the summer often don't soak in properly or evenly enough to reverse that. 'Less water in rivers means warmer temperatures, lower oxygen, and shrinking channels, all of which increase pressure on fish, aquatic life, and habitats,' she said. Eilidh Johnston, SEPA's senior manager for water industry and rural economy, said people shouldn't wait until 'crisis point' to act. 'Many abstractors have already been planning ahead and taking steps to use water efficiently, especially in areas of alert and moderate scarcity,' she added. Many Scots are likely to flock to the coast to enjoy the nice weather, and with the increase in beachgoers, the chances of people getting into danger increase. RNLI The RNLI is urging people to stay safe on Scottish beaches this weekend. The RNLI is urging people to stay safe when visiting Scottish beaches and has deployed lifeguards to patrol eight east coast beaches this weekend. Michael Avril, water safety lead for the RNLI in Scotland, said that although air temperatures may feel warm, UK sea temperatures are cold enough year-round to trigger cold-water shock. He added: 'Big waves and strong rip currents can overpower even the most confident water users.' 'These trained professionals are there to help keep everyone safe. We'd encourage anyone heading into the water to swim between the red and yellow flags, as these mark the area identified as the safest place to swim and most closely monitored by our lifeguards.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
Dumfries and Galloway residents urged to stay safe around rivers and reservoirs
The plea has been issued ahead of Drowning Prevention Week after it emerged there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland last year. People are being urged to stay safe around Dumfries and Galloway's reservoirs, rivers, lochs and beaches this summer. The plea has been issued ahead of Drowning Prevention Week after it emerged there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland last year. And the National Water Safety Forum has also revealed there have been 244 accidental drownings – 20 of them children – in the past five years. Scottish Water's chief operating officer, Peter Farrer, said: 'While people should enjoy any good weather we have this summer and take pleasure around beautiful lochs, reservoirs, rivers and beaches, it's absolutely vital they stay safe at all times and behave responsibly. 'As a number of tragic deaths in Scotland in recent years have shown, safety is a serious issue in all bodies of water. 'At reservoirs, while the water may look harmless, there are many hidden dangers. 'We need to ensure everyone is aware of these hazards. We are reminding parents to keep their children safe and asking everyone to act responsibly around reservoirs and other watercourses.' The utility provider has issued the warning after reports of vandalism, littering, campfires and diving from water towers at reservoirs – many of which are in remote locations, meaning immediate help is unavailable. Swimming in reservoirs is not encouraged as they have deep, cold water, with dams, steep banks, spillways and underwater pipework a real hazard. Dog owners are also urged to take care. Interim charity director at the Royal Life Saving Society UK, which launches Drowning Prevention Week on June 14, said: 'In the last five years, only 39 per cent of those who accidentally drowned in Scotland intended to be in the water, highlighting how easy it is to unexpectedly get into trouble. 'With the summer holidays coming and families enjoying staycations across popular destinations in Scotland, it is even more vital that everyone has a strong understanding of what to do if you find yourself or someone else in trouble in the water.' Meanwhile, river levels in the region are continuing their recovery following the prolonged dry spell. The catchment for the Esk has been lowered from 'moderate scarcity' to 'alert' level on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's warning system. And the Annan, Nith, Dee and Cree catchments have now been moved to 'early warning' – the lowest rating – after SEPA noted widespread improvements in the west thanks to rain. SEPA's Eilidh Johnston, said: 'When conditions reach the point where any further reduction in flow would risk damage to the environment, we must act. 'We know 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.'
