Water scarcity prompts restrictions along Lunan Water

Temporary restrictions have been placed on water abstraction along Lunan Water following the prolonged dry conditions across the county.

The restrictions have been introduced by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) after the river reached Significant Water Scarcity following prolonged dry conditions.

The restriction was introduce after Lunan Water experienced low water flow for more than 30 consecutive days. (Pic: Sheila Forbes/Wikipedia)

placeholder image — The restriction was introduce after Lunan Water experienced low water flow for more than 30 consecutive days. (Pic: Sheila Forbes/Wikipedia)

During July, just three millimetres of rain was recorded in Angus over a three-week period, and although rain was forecast for this week, SEPA said it is too soon to know what impact this will have on river flows.

The restrictions apply to a further 37 licences to abstract water, primarily supporting agricultural activities.

SEPA has been warning about the risk of water scarcity over the summer and working closely with licence holders and organisations including Fisheries Management Scotland, NFU Scotland, the Scotch Whisky Association and Scottish Golf to help those who abstract water from the environment prepare for the possibility of temporary restrictions.

As a result, these restrictions should not come as a surprise to those affected.

Water scarcity is driven by river flows and cumulative conditions over weeks and months, not whether it rains on a particular day. SEPA will continue to monitor conditions closely and lift restrictions as soon as river conditions recover.

Significant Water Scarcity is declared when river flows remain below the recognised Q95 low flow threshold for 30 consecutive days. Q95 is a recognised benchmark in hydrology, calculated using a catchment's long-term river flow record, and represents the lowest five per cent of flows.

When river flows remain below this threshold for a sustained period, the risk of environmental harm increases, triggering temporary restrictions on licensed water abstraction.

Shona McConnell, SEPA's head of compliance, said: “The rainfall many parts of Scotland saw over the weekend was welcome, but unfortunately it has not been enough to reverse the impact of prolonged dry conditions in these catchments.

“Our officers will be working with licence holders to help them understand and comply with the temporary restrictions and answer any questions they may have.”