Water scarcity warning in Angus as dry spell continues

The risk of water scarcity in Angus is increasing, with the dry spell continuing.

The situation is affection locations across the east of Scotland and, despite some rainfall in recent days, many areas have continued to get drier throughout June and into July, and very little rainfall is forecast across Scotland for the week ahead.

In the latest water scarcity report published by SEPA, the River Ythan catchment in Aberdeenshire joins the Firth of Tay in Moderate Scarcity level due to very dry ground conditions and low river levels.The majority of the east remains in Alert.

Businesses abstracting water in Moderate Scarcity areas are advised to only do so when absolutely necessary, stagger their operations, reduce volumes and durations or suspend abstractions altogether. SEPA can also offer support on switching supplies, such as using groundwater instead of river water.

Abstractors in Alert areas should plan ahead as conditions are expected to worsen before improving. They should work with neighbouring water users to schedule abstractions where possible.

In Early Warning areas, the advice is for businesses to consider their upcoming water requirements, how to use water more efficiently and to check equipment for any leaks.

Michael Wann, water resources specialist at SEPA, said: “Water is a resource that underpins key industries across Scotland - from food and drink production, to farming and golf course management.

“All licensed abstractors must have a plan to deal with the range of conditions they experience throughout the year, including the current deteriorating water scarcity situation.

“Water is shared and finite, and we all need to work together to manage it as efficiently as possible. We want to work with businesses to plan long-term so that we can preserve the resource as effectively as possible.”

It follows SEPA’s warning in March about the growing threat of water scarcity this year as a result of a particularly dry winter. Information on how to prepare and manage water usage can be found at www.sepa.org.uk/waterscarcity.