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Abstractors urged to plan ahead following recent dry weather

The latest weekly water scarcity report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows the first Moderate Scarcity warning of the year issued for the Tyne (Lothian) catchment. More areas have also been raised to Alert level in the east of the country including the Conon, Findhorn, Don (Aberdeenshire) and Tweed catchments.  

They join the Deveron, Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Ythan and Almond catchments which remain at Alert level.  

SEPA publishes weekly water scarcity reports throughout the summer to provide abstractors with up-to-date information on conditions across the country. Reporting is designed to provide advance notice of developing conditions to support sustainable water use and help users plan ahead.  

Early Warning means conditions are becoming drier. No action is required at this stage, but abstractors are encouraged to prepare and review water use.  

Alert means river water levels are falling and SEPA advises voluntary reductions in non-essential water use by abstractors. 

Moderate Scarcity means environmental impact is clear. Action from abstractors is expected to protect rivers and the species that rely on them. 

More long-term dry conditions are being experienced by eastern coastal areas, following on from a dry spring, with wetter conditions experienced in the west. 

River flows are low to very low across eastern areas for this time of year and ground conditions particularly in the east and northeast are becoming very dry. At our monitored boreholes, groundwater levels are largely normal across much of the country, although there are very low levels at some monitoring locations in Fife and Angus.   

Following on from recent warm weather, heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast today and into the early hours of Friday morning for some areas of Scotland, with regional Flood Alerts in place.  

Despite this wet weather, dry conditions may continue if the rain runs off quickly without soaking in to the ground.  

SEPA continues to monitor conditions closely through its national water scarcity reporting. 

SEPA’s drought risk assessment tool provides up-to-date local information on river flows and potential water scarcity risk to help abstractors monitor conditions and support planning ahead.  

Eilidh Johnston, Senior Leader in Compliance, said: 

“Recent warm and dry weather has seen our first Moderate Scarcity warning of the year issued for the Tyne catchment in Lothian. Several areas across the east of the country have also moved to Alert status.  

“Conditions remain drier than normal across several eastern catchments and river flows are low to very low for this time of year there. As a result, there remains a risk of water scarcity developing into summer, particularly across the east, if summer rainfall is lower than normal.    

“SEPA’s water scarcity reporting provides abstractors and other water users with advance notice of changing conditions so they can review water use, check equipment is operating effectively and plan ahead if needed.  

“We would encourage abstractors to make use of SEPA’s drought risk assessment tools and guidance to help understand local conditions, increase their resilience to the impacts of prolonged dry conditions and support sustainable water use during dry periods.”  

Further information on water scarcity levels, guidance and weekly reports is available on SEPA’s website. 

Notes to editors

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 - SEPA water scarcity situation report 25th June 2026
• 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

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.