Spotlight On: Water Scarcity In Scotland

It’s been an unseasonably warm start to spring for the UK, with plenty of sunshine, high temperatures and a distinct lack of rainfall… which, in itself, is perhaps sufficient cause for concern in relation to water availability as we approach the summer months, but given the drier-than-normal winter we had, there’s an even greater risk of water scarcity this year.

For Scotland, most of the country did see some intermittent wet spells over winter, but generally below-average rainfall was recorded off the back of an especially dry autumn.

While December and January experienced some heavy rain and flooding from storms Darragh and Eowyn, the rest of January and February were both noticeably dry.

This lack of winter rainfall was concerning back in March, with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) noting that above average rainfall in spring and summer would be necessary to replenish dwindling groundwater levels.

Thus far this spring, however, rain has not been forthcoming and Scotland is now showing increasing signs of water scarcity, with all the country’s river catchments being placed under increasing amounts of pressure.

Water scarcity risks are categorised in four levels: Early Warning, Alert, Moderate Scarcity and Significant Scarcity.

Early Warning

Conditions are drying, but abstractors should start putting plans in place.

Alert

Water levels are dropping and voluntary reductions in non-essential water use is advised for abstractors. Action includes:

– Checking and maintaining equipment

– Reviewing water usage plans

– Reducing non-essential water use

– Considering low-water irrigation techniques/alternative scheduling

Moderate Scarcity

The environmental impact is clear and abstractors are expected to safeguard water resources. Action includes:

– Actively reducing water use, particularly during peak hours

– Coordinating with neighbouring properties to optimise shared use

– Considering reduced production or alternative sources

Significant Scarcity

River levels are critical and restrictions may be imposed on abstraction licenses.

Warnings of greater risks were issued by SEPA at the beginning of March, with Eilidh Johnston – senior manager in water industry and rural economy – saying that continued drier weather could disrupt agriculture, impact industries that rely on consistent availability of water and put pressure on local water supplies.

She went on to say: “Prolonged water scarcity can also impact local ecosystems, lower water quality and place additional pressure on native flora and fauna. Several industries across Scotland rely on natural water resources, whether it’s for food and drink production, hydropower or maintaining world famous golf courses.

“The next few weeks and months are a crucial time of year for water demand and those who take water from our environment must manage it wisely, minimising the need for restrictions to be imposed by SEPA.”

Water Situation Report

SEPA’s latest Water Situation Report, published on May 15th, now shows that the majority of Scotland’s east coast is now at Moderate Scarcity levels, including the river catchments of Deveron, Dee, Don, Ythan, Esk, Firth of Forth, Firth of Tay, Tweed and Esk, Tyne and the Almond.

In the River Dee in Aberdeenshire, where records date back 97 years, river flows are at their second lowest, with only those seen in 1938 coming in ahead. And in Fife and Angus, groundwater levels are at their lowest April averages ever.

No recovery elsewhere has been seen, with most of the rest of the country now at Alert and only the Inner and Outer Hebrides at Early Warning.

With some parts of the east seeing 11 months of below-average rainfall and no significant levels forecast for the future at the moment, it’s likely that both river and groundwater conditions will continue to be very dry over the next week at least.

Claire Tunaley, senior hydrologist at SEPA’s water resources unit, said that these kinds of conditions are typically associated with late summer, yet 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,” she observed.

Ms Tunaley went on to note that the message from SEPA is clear… if you abstract water from the environment, action must be taken now to safeguard rivers and wildlife over the coming months while protecting your business operations.

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