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The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are calling on Scots to have their say on the future of the nation’s water environment.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are urging farmers, industry and other water users in the east of Scotland to plan now for next year, warning that above-average rainfall is needed over the winter to rebuild depleted water resources and reduce the risk of significant water scarcity in 2026.

Parts of eastern Scotland have seen improvement in water resources over winter following the 2025 drought, but some areas could still face water scarcity later this year if spring rainfall is lower than normal.

SEPA is encouraging abstractors who take water from Scotland’s rivers, lochs and groundwater for activities such as irrigation and industrial processes to review equipment, contingency plans and water efficiency measures following continued dry weather across parts of Scotland.

Warm and dry weather across Scotland has affected river flows and ground conditions in some parts of the country.

July recorded nearly double the normal amount of rainfall in some areas that were experiencing significant water scarcity in June.