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River and groundwater levels in many parts of the country have now recovered to Normal Conditions or Early Warning in the latest report published by SEPA.

The latest water scarcity report confirms the Rivers Annan, Nith, the Outer Hebrides, and the Loch Maree area have improved from Significant Water Scarcity to Moderate Scarcity.

The rivers Annan and Nith in the southwest, as well as the Black Isle and the Outer Hebrides, are now in Significant water scarcity, the highest level, following a period of prolonged, dry weather.

While heavy, thundery showers across the country have led to some very localised recovery of rivers and groundwater, they have not been enough to sufficiently replenish levels and water scarcity conditions continue to get worse.

SEPA forecasts that 28 out of 83 areas (a third) will be at Significant water scarcity level by 30th June 2023 if there is no recovery in river levels.

The risk of water scarcity around the Loch Maree area in the Highlands has been raised to Significant, the highest level available. Two areas are also now at moderate scarcity - the Ness area in the Highlands and the Esk area of Dumfriesshire.