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SEPA extend temporary water abstraction restrictions as dry conditions continue

The restrictions apply to a further 35 licences to abstract water from the environment, primarily supporting agricultural activities, and follow restrictions introduced last week in the Whiteadder Water and Berwickshire Coastal areas.

SEPA have been warning about the risk of water scarcity over the summer and working closely with licence holders and organisations including Fisheries Management Scotland, NFU Scotland, the Scotch Whisky Association and Scottish Golf to help those who abstract water from the environment prepare for the possibility of temporary restrictions. As a result, these restrictions should not come as a surprise to those affected.

While further rain is forecast this week, it is too soon to know what impact it will have on river flows. Water scarcity is driven by river flows and cumulative conditions over weeks and months, not whether it rains on a particular day. SEPA will continue to monitor conditions closely and lift restrictions as soon as river conditions recover.

Significant Water Scarcity is declared when river flows remain below the recognised Q95 low flow threshold for 30 consecutive days. Q95 is a recognised benchmark in hydrology, calculated using a catchment's long-term river flow record, and represents the lowest five per cent of flows. When river flows remain below this threshold for a sustained period, the risk of environmental harm increases, triggering temporary restrictions on licensed water abstraction.

SEPA's Drought Risk Assessment Tool uses current river flow data from representative monitoring sites across Scotland. This science-led approach tracks environmental conditions and ensures decisions are based on measured river conditions. The tool is available online, allowing anyone to monitor river conditions and water scarcity levels across Scotland.

Shona McConnell, SEPA's Head of Compliance, said:

"The rainfall many parts of Scotland saw over the weekend was welcome, but unfortunately it has not been enough to reverse the impact of prolonged dry conditions in these catchments.

"River flows in the Lower Tweed, Lower Don and Lunan Water have now remained below the recognised Q95 low flow threshold for 30 consecutive days. At this point, temporary restrictions on licensed water abstraction are needed to protect rivers and the wildlife that depends on them.

"Our officers will be out in the affected catchments, working directly with licence holders to help them understand and comply with the temporary restrictions and answer any questions they may have.

"These decisions are based on measured river conditions, not fixed dates. We assess river flows every day using our Drought Risk Assessment Tool and, as soon as river flows recover above the Q95 threshold, these temporary restrictions will be lifted. Our priority is to protect Scotland's rivers while ensuring restrictions remain in place only for as long as they're needed."

SEPA continues to monitor conditions closely, with East Neuk and North Fife also approaching Significant Water Scarcity if river flows do not recover.

Notes to editors

National release linked to weekly water scarcity report on 23^rd July 2026 - More parts of Scotland move into water scarcity as prolonged dry weather continues

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 - 23rd July 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 

DRAT stations and Significant Scarcity

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 below 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.     

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. 

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. 

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 risk of water scarcity, monitor their water use, and plan ahead for a range of weather conditions. Find further advice for abstractors and irrigators on our website.