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This is a policy statement and relates to the Official Statistics Publication for Scotland – Scottish Waste From All Sources 2023 published at 9.30am on Tuesday 15 July 2025.

Scotland is entering another spell of hot weather, and the east of the country remains under sustained pressure from water scarcity according to the latest data.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is urging residents and contractors in Balloch, Inverness, to take immediate action to prevent water pollution, following repeated reports of unusual discolouration in Fiddlers Burn.

Despite the recent rainfall over the last week, it has been insufficient to see much recovery across most of Scotland, with low river flows persisting, particularly in the east. Although rain is forecast over the coming days, SEPA say well above-average rainfall will be needed to reverse the effects of the long dry spell. We are continuing to urge water users to be vigilant as parts of the country remain under pressure.

This week, the rain has brought relief to the west and northwest of the country, but some levels of water scarcity are still being felt in large parts of Scotland, particularly in the east. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are asking that water users remain vigilant.

Don’t let the recent weather fool you. Despite rain and thunderstorms in the last few days, large parts of Scotland remain at some level of water scarcity. With summer just beginning, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are warning that complacency is a real risk.