A red water shortage warning has been extended to the Borders, said the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) in its latest update. The alerts come amid a second summer heatwave as temperatures peak at 30C.
Parts of Fife were issued a red water shortage warning last week. SEPA has now suspended water abstraction, mostly within agriculture, in mid and north Fife as river and groundwater levels become 'critical' in the east.
The agency reports a dry week - with exception to the northwest - has worsened the conditions of areas at risk of water scarcity. Many eastern areas of the country are facing a moderate scarcity warning.
Water shortages will become more frequent as a result of climate change, reported the watchdog.
David Harley, the Interim Chief Officer Circular Economy of SEPA, said suspending water abstractions could no longer be avoided and warned of a 'substantial' risk to the environment and local fish populations.
He cautioned: "With climate change leading to water scarcity becoming a more regular occurrence, we are also working to help businesses plan longer-term for these conditions."
"We're working closely with Scottish farmers to ensure the sustainability of local water environments for all who rely on them. Without action, there is a substantial risk of impacts on fish populations, natural habitats and longer-term damage to watercourses."
Water shortage warnings in Scotland
As of August 12, SEPA says these areas at risk of water scarcity:
- Parts of the Scottish Borders are now in a Significant Scarcity situation.
- Areas in the mid and north of Fife remain in a Significant Scarcity situation.
- The Esk area is now at Moderate Scarcity.
- The Deveron, Ythan, Dee and Don catchments, as well as the Firth of Forth, Almond, and Tyne, and the rest of the Firth of Tay and Tweed catchments remain at Moderate Scarcity.
- The Conon and Tay catchments and the Irvine and Ayr area are now at Alert.
At significant scarcity, the highest level, SEPA can suspend abstraction licences to protect the sustainability of the local water environment. The agency is contacting abstractors in the Tweed catchment regarding possible suspensions that could begin early next week.
What the water warnings mean
SEPA uses five levels to mark the water situation in Scotland.
- Normal Conditions (blue) - abstract water as normal.
- Early warning (green) - start to consider how you can optimise water use efficiency.
- Alert (yellow) - if you are irrigating your land, check equipment, don't over spray, use trickle irrigation and irrigate at night to avoid evaporation.
- Moderate scarcity - in prolonged dry periods, reduce abstractions by staggering with other operators, reduce the volume and switch to other supplies or suspend your abstractions.
- Significant scarcity - this means Scotland's water resources are becoming scarce - switch supplies or temporarily stop abstracting.
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