A water shortage warning has been issued in Scotland after the UK's record-breaking heatwave. A report by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) published on Friday notes that many parts of the country remain at an increased risk of water scarcity.
The agency urged businesses that use water in moderate scarcity areas to limit use to when "absolutely necessary". Most of the east coast has been issued an alert or a moderate scarcity warning, including the Don, the Dee, Ythan, the Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Almond and Tyne catchments.
"Water scarcity is a very real threat as a result of climate change," warned SEPA's Senior Water and Land Manager, Jennifer Leonard. "It is also the result of long-term weather deficit and below average rainfall, and although some rain is forecast, it is unlikely there will be enough to improve conditions."
Ms Leonard continued: "We want to work with businesses to plan their water usage long-term so that we can preserve this vital resource. Not only will that protect Scotland's rivers and lochs, but it will minimise business risks as well."
Businesses in early warning areas, including Galloway and Ayrshire, are advised to consider their upcoming water needs and to check equipment for any leaks.
Scotland recorded its highest ever temperatures on Tuesday. The blistering heat reached 35.1C at Floors Castle in the Borders - more than 2C higher than the previous record of 32.9C set in Greycook in 2003.
Following the extreme weather, the Met Office's Chief Scientist Belcher warned that the heatwaves over 40C in the UK could become a regular event.
He said: "Under a very high emissions scenario we could see temperatures exceeding 40 degrees as frequently as every three years by the end of the century in the UK."
Water shortage warnings in Scotland
As of July 22, SEPA says these areas at risk of water scarcity:
- The Don catchment has been raised to moderate scarcity.
- The Dee, Ythan, the Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Almond and Tyne catchments remain at moderate scarcity.
- The Leven (Dunbartonshire) has reached early warning, joining the rest of Galloway and Ayrshire.
SEPA advises businesses that abstract water in moderate scarcity areas to only do so when absolutely necessary. It added that the firms should stagger their operations, irrigate at night where possible, reduce volumes and durations or suspend abstractions altogether.
What the water warnings mean
SEPA uses five levels to mark the water situation in Scotland.
- Normal Conditions - abstract water as normal.
- Early warning - start to consider how you can optimise water use efficiency.
- Alert - 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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