We’re running drought of time ... warning over water ‘scarcity’
HALF of Scotland has been warned it could face water ‘scarcity’ this summer after expected winter and spring rainfall failed to materialise.
Environment watchdogs have asked the public to conserve water supplies amid a potential risk of shortages this summer.
Last autumn, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) predicted the country was on course for drought conditions this summer unless there was ‘heavier than normal’ rainfall during winter and spring.
This did not happen and both March and April have seen significantly less rainfall than the historical average.
In its first water scarcity report of 2022, Sepa said: ‘March was dry, with only half of the long-term average monthly rainfall across Scotland.
‘As a result, river flows, soil moisture and groundwater storage levels show that many areas are at risk of water scarcity.
‘With continuing dry weather expected, an ‘‘early warning’’ level has been placed across the southern half of the country.
‘We advise water users, including those with private water supplies, to be aware of the potential risk of water scarcity this summer, and for businesses to plan ahead where possible.’
The Met Office has recorded very low spring rainfall in the west of Scotland, traditionally the wettest part of the country.
Forecaster Simon Partridge said that in April the region had just 77 per cent of the rain it would normally expect, and in March it was even lower, at 51 per cent.
Mr Partridge added: ‘These are not figures you would normally associate with the west of Scotland, one of the wettest spots in all of the UK. This spring, much of Scotland has been way behind the rainfall seen in England.
‘It is weird and it suggests it may be just part of a growing problem.’ It is thought there is no immediate concern over the public water supply, with reservoir levels currently at around 90 per cent.
George Anderson, of the Beechgrove Garden TV show, said: ‘I know river levels are down. I was fishing on the Tweed last Friday and the water has dropped to its summer level.
‘Things are growing alright in the garden because there has been a bit of heat in the air in the last few weeks.
‘But you can see the soil is starting to dry out.’
He said gardeners could apply loose mulch on top of plants to preserve moisture, and also make use of water butts, ‘using the water that’s harvested from your greenhouse or shed’.