Concerns regarding water scarcity are escalating across parts of Scotland as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) reported early signs indicative of potential shortages amid ongoing dry conditions. The agency’s latest Water Situation Update highlighted that March experienced below-average rainfall across much of the country, with some southern areas registering less than a third of the typical precipitation expected for this time of year.

In particular, locations such as Angus and Fife have endured ten consecutive months of reduced rainfall, with March alone seeing less than half of the normal levels. Shetland was noted as the sole area in Scotland that recorded above-average rainfall during this period.

Identifying a significant drop in river levels, Sepa remarked that many rivers are now running at low to extremely low rates for the current season, with groundwater levels continuing to decline. Notably, Fife and Angus have been singled out as the regions hardest hit, currently exhibiting lower levels than those recorded in April 2022. The only area where groundwater levels were reported as above normal for this time of year is Moray, attributed to higher-than-average rainfall experienced there over the winter.

Kenny Boag, Sepa’s head of environmental performance, commented, “Water scarcity is becoming a growing challenge in Scotland, and the data from March shows there is an increased risk that water scarcity could occur early in the season this year.” He further explained that to aid in Scotland’s climate resilience, Sepa will closely monitor the situation and commence weekly water scarcity reporting in May unless conditions worsen sooner, which aims to assist businesses in preparing for any upcoming challenges.

Sepa’s strategic focus on climate resilience is reflected in its three-year corporate plan, which seeks to equip businesses and communities to adapt to climate change and fortify against extreme weather events. The agency outlined that the previous year, 2024, did not witness significant water scarcity, a result of improved rainfall patterns.

In light of these developments, Scottish Water has reassured the public that current scarcity levels do not impact the water supplies from reservoirs, although the agricultural sector—particularly farmers and producers of fruits and vegetables—may be more at risk. As of last week, total reservoir storage across Scotland stood at 92%, which represents a 2% increase from the preceding week but is still noted as being 3% lower than the average of 95% for this time of year.

A spokesperson from Scottish Water stated, “We continually monitor our water resources and reservoir levels across the country are on average at slightly below the levels we would expect for this time of year.” They further advised customers to conserve water and suggested measures such as shorter showers and turning off taps while brushing teeth.

In a related context, as parts of the UK brace for potentially record-breaking temperatures, firefighters are battling a series of wildfires exacerbated by the dry conditions across Scotland. With the Met Office predicting the warmest day of the year so far, wildfires have sprouted, leading to an extreme wildfire warning issued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). The service mentioned multiple incidents, including significant fires in the Highlands and near Glasgow, with the risk of wildfires rated as “very high to extreme” until at least Monday.

Amid these environmental challenges, a spokesperson for the Scottish Government remarked that the warning from Sepa underlines the ongoing ramifications of climate change on water resources, affirming their commitment to collaborative efforts with Sepa and key stakeholders to effectively monitor and manage water availability.

This developing situation underscores the complex interplay of climate conditions and environmental management facing Scotland and its various sectors.

Source: Noah Wire Services