Water shortage fears after dry winter

SCOTLAND could be hit by water shortages after a dry winter led to dwindling reservoir levels.

Last week the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said most of the southern half of Scotland is under an ‘early warning’ for potential water shortages.

Yesterday the alert was widened to regions including Angus, Tayside and Deeside.

A dry winter and little rainfall in recent months has left many areas at risk of water shortages this summer. Unless the South of the country and parts of Aberdeenshire have above-average rainfall in the coming weeks, it is likely the risk will intensify.

Scotland had unusually dry weather in March, with only half of the long-term average monthly rainfall. Normal rainfall during this time would have helped to replenish reservoirs and aid river flow.

However, Sepa maps show that rainfall has been ‘very dry’ in some parts of southern Scotland in the past 180 days, and river flow has been ‘very low’ in the past 30 days. The soil has dried in the East of Scotland, with maps showing Edinburgh has been ‘quite dry’ this week.

Last week, Sepa called on businesses to ‘plan ahead’ for potential shortages. It has advised Scots, ‘including those with private water supplies’, to be aware of potential risks of water scarcity this summer.

Rainfall in the West over the past week, however, has improved conditions in Argyll, allowing the early warning for the area to be lifted. April saw above-average rainfall in the North, resulting in ‘some improvement’ to conditions. Aside from those parts of the country now under early warnings, the rest of Scotland remains ‘normal’.

Nathan Critchlow-Watton, head of water and planning at Sepa, said water ‘underpins key industries’ including farming, food and drink production, energy and golf’.

He said with less summer rainfall expected, ‘we have to be prepared for increased pressure on Scotland’s water resources – perhaps in places that have never had to deal with water scarcity before’.