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SEPA warn of possible water abstraction restrictions in the east early next week

The latest water scarcity report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows the situation across the country.

SEPA’s four-tier water scarcity scale goes from Early Warning through Alert and Moderate Scarcity up to Significant Scarcity. The most impacted catchments are currently those at Moderate Scarcity.

Moderate Scarcity – Escalated this week: Spey, Almond and Tweed catchments. They join the Deveron, Ythan, Don (Aberdeenshire), Esk (Angus), Firth of Tay and Tyne (Lothian), which have been at Moderate Scarcity for several months.

Alert – Escalated this week: Earn and Orkney catchments. The Findhorn, Dee (Aberdeenshire) and Firth of Forth catchments remain at this level.

Early Warning – Escalated this week: Forth, Esk (Dumfriesshire), Annan, Nith, Dee (Galloway), Cree and Leven (Dunbartonshire) catchments have been moved from Normal to Early Warning. Wick, Helmsdale, Tay, Clyde, Naver and Thurso catchments remain at this level. 

Not enough rain

Localised thunderstorms at the end of last week, including reports of large hail in Dundee and parts of Aberdeenshire, did not change the overall water scarcity picture. Showers were short lived and patchy, often missing the catchments that needed rain most, and on very dry ground intense rain tends to run off rather than soak in - limiting recharge of rivers and groundwater.

Rainfall data underlines how long this situation has been building. On the east coast of Scotland every month since the start of 2025 has been drier than average. In some eastern areas the deficit extends back to June 2024, with 40% less rainfall than the long-term average over that period. That prolonged shortfall, coupled with the warm, sunny spring and summer has left rivers, soils and groundwater under pressure.

Areas at risk of restrictions

Early Warning, Alert and Moderate Scarcity indicate the situation on a river catchment scale - based on river levels, groundwater and soil moisture. 
Significant scarcity is different. It reflects severe, sustained low flows assessed over a period of time, and is the point at which restrictions are likely.

If very low flows persist in the Deveron, Ythan, Upper and Lower Don in Aberdeenshire, North Fife and the Lower Tweed, SEPA expect those areas could move into significant scarcity as early as next week. The agency has been in direct contact with abstractors in the areas most at risk.

SEPA assess water scarcity each week using long term data and on the ground evidence. Where sustained low flows risk long-term environmental harm, the agency can reduce or temporarily stop licenced abstractions. Any measures would be targeted and time limited, reviewed regularly and lifted as soon as flows recover. If restrictions are required, affected licence holders will be notified directly.

Kenny Boag, SEPA’s Head of Environmental Performance (National), said: 

“Some rivers in the east of Scotland are days away from the point where restrictions may be needed to protect the environment. We are speaking directly to licence holders, so no one should be caught off guard. If you abstract water from the environment, you should already have plans in place. Reduce volumes where you can, stagger abstractions and make sure you are following the conditions of your licence.”

When will the rain come?

There remains uncertainty about the weather next week, as the remnants of ex hurricane Erin could influence Scotland's weather. It’s too early to say what that will mean for individual catchments, and SEPA will continue to monitor conditions closely.

Notes to Editors

A pre-record interview with Rachel Harding-Hill - SEPA Senior Manager in Water and Land, is available for media to download from our asset library.

You do not need to register to use this, but you will only be able to listen to the first 20 seconds of audio until you download it.

Time stamps for questions are as follows:

• 00.00 – 00.04 Name and job title
• 00.05 – 00.35 How serious is the water scarcity situation in Scotland right now?
• 00.36 – 01.10 If restrictions do come in next week what will that mean for farmers and businesses?
• 01.11 – 01.38 We had heavy downpours in some areas last week, why didn't that solve the problem?
• 01.39 – 02.14 Some people are already talking about what will be ex-Hurricane Erin next week. Will that fix the situation?
• 02.15 – 03.01 What's your message today to people and businesses who rely on water?

Water scarcity levels

• Early Warning: Conditions are drying. No action required, but abstractors should start preparing. 
• Alert: Water levels are falling. SEPA advises voluntary reductions in non-essential water use for abstractors. 
• Moderate Scarcity: Environmental impact is clear. Action from abstractors is expected to protect rivers and the species that rely on them. 
• Significant Scarcity: Critical river levels. Restrictions on abstraction licences may be imposed. 

Data sources

• SEPA Water Scarcity situation report - 21st August 2025
• SEPA’s river level network - Find Scottish water levels information
• Rainfall data for Scotland - Scottish Rainfall Data
• DRAT - Water scarcity data - provided by Scottish Environment Protection Agency

DRAT stations and Significant Scarcity

Significant scarcity is reached when river flows have been very low for 30 or more days. We use a tool called the Drought Risk Assessment Tool (DRAT) to set significant scarcity level. 

DRAT is a network of flow gauging stations that SEPA monitor across Scotland and are used to set significant water scarcity when flows have been low for a sustained period of time. 

Data has been collected at these stations for a long period of time, so this allows us to give context to what is currently happening with the amount of flow in rivers relative to what you would normally expect. 

The river flow stations are each used as a representation of the conditions over an area, called a significant water scarcity area. The area and representative gauging stations are displayed on the tool.

Further support and useful links

The National Water Scarcity Plan explains how water resources will be managed prior to and during periods of prolonged dry weather. This is to ensure the correct balance is struck between protecting the environment and providing resource for human and economic activity.

Report dry private water supplies and rivers and burns in your area to help SEPA assess water scarcity stress.

All water abstractors should be aware of the potential risk of water scarcity this summer, monitor their water use, and plan ahead for a range of weather conditions. Find further advice for abstractors and irrigators on our website.