Back to News

Six new areas of Scotland reach Significant Scarcity bringing current total to 13

At the same time, restrictions have been lifted for the Lower Tweed, Berwickshire Coastal and Whiteadder Water, after rain over the past week improved river conditions in those catchments sufficiently.  

This means a net total of 13 areas are now at Significant Scarcity in the east. 

Temporary reductions, variations or suspensions of abstraction licences are needed to protect the environment during a prolonged period of low rainfall. All affected licence holders will be written to by SEPA, with details of what they must do, along with the date and time the restrictions come into effect.  

The east of Scotland has been experiencing a prolonged period of below-average rainfall since last Autumn. Many rivers in the east are recording flows well below the level needed to sustain ecological health, while groundwater levels are lowest on record in some boreholes.  

SEPA hydrologists monitor river levels daily at locations across the country, using the agency’s Drought Risk Assessment Tool (DRAT) to determine if restrictions are required. Significant Scarcity is reached when river flows have been very low for 30 days or more.  

Without sufficient rainfall, four further areas are expected to go to Significant Scarcity over the next few days. These are the Lower Dee and Water of Feugh, Upper Tweed, and Mid-Tweed and Lauderdale on Tuesday, and Findhorn East on Wednesday.  

Since early summer, SEPA have been liaising closely with water abstractors and industry bodies, including NFUS, to help prepare for and manage the impacts of water scarcity. This engagement has been central to ensuring businesses can plan for restrictions and adapt their operations where possible.  

David Harley, SEPA’s Head of Water and Planning, said: 

“Scotland’s rivers are under real pressure, and the six new areas that have reached Significant Scarcity today reflects the ongoing impact of this exceptionally dry period. We know that restrictions are challenging, but they are essential to safeguard the environment, which underpins Scotland’s economy and communities.  

“We have been monitoring conditions and engaging with abstractors throughout the summer, and we will continue to work with farmers and other businesses to keep them informed. Where conditions improve – as we’ve seen today in the Lower Tweed, Berwickshire Coastal and Whiteadder Water areas - we will lift restrictions as quickly as possible. We thank abstractors for their continued efforts to help protect Scotland’s rivers at this critical time.” 

Notes to Editors

Full list of areas at Significant Scarcity

River Avon, Lower Spey, Upper Don, Lower Don, North Fife, Ythan, Deveron, Tyne (Lothian), Leven (Fife), East Neuk (Fife), Findhorn, South Ugie Water, Lunan Water 

Q95 is calculated by looking at a catchment’s 30-year dataset from 1991 to 2020 and looking at the lowest 5% of flows in that time frame.   

SEPA’s last weekly Water Scarcity report media release - Further abstraction licence restrictions in place as more of eastern Scotland reaches Significant Scarcity | Beta | SEPA | Scottish Environment Protection Agency 

Anyone can track conditions via SEPA’s Drought Risk Assessment Tool (DRAT), which shows colour-coded stations across Scotland and how close they are to Significant Scarcity. Clicking on an individual station will show how many days it has been at Q95, a recognised low flow threshold. When a station reaches 30 days the catchments linked to the station will be moved to Significant Scarcity, and SEPA will move to impose any restrictions required.   

Catchments and monitoring stations  

SEPA assesses water scarcity through its national Drought Risk Assessment Tool (DRAT), which uses monitoring stations across Scotland. Each station may represent a single river or a group of catchments. For this reason, the number of DRAT stations and areas at Significant Scarcity may be different. 

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 - 4th September 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.