Scotland prepares for water scarcity as reservoir levels decline

Water levels in Scotland that are much lower than usual for the time of year, and little forecast rain, could mean water shortages loom, Scotland’s first minister, Humza Yousaf, warned last week.

He chaired a meeting of the Scottish government’s Resilience Room on Thursday, attended by government, SEPA, Scottish Water and the Met Office, to consider preparations and mitigations in the event of further water scarcity.

Following a drier than normal winter and spring, water levels in reservoirs are lower than would be expected for this time of year. Scottish Water has reported that consumer demand has increased sharply since last weekend, putting pressure on reservoirs, treatment works and water mains.

SEPA said that in the north of Scotland, the Loch Maree area has been raised to the Significant Water Scarcity level – the highest level – and the Ness area has increased to Moderate Water Scarcity. The Esk area in Dumfriesshire has also increased to Moderate Water Scarcity.

Yousaf called on domestic and business customers to follow the water use guidance provided by SEPA and Scottish Water, and for direct abstractors to put their water scarcity plans into action now to reduce pressure on the environment.

The Scottish government also reopened its emergency scheme to provide bottled water to any homes on private water supplies that need it.